Morning everyone.
I don’t know about you, but I am more than ready for the weekend. It’s been a very busy week. And according to the news, it’s supposed to be a cool weekend here in the metro-DC area. Highs only in the 40s / 50s. Winter is def. on its way.
I have another lupus blogger I would like to share with you. Her name is Milet and she lives in the Philippines. She is 28 years old and she is a stay at home mom. Milet writes a blog called A Wife A Mom.
Check out her blog and say hi. It’s always interesting to gain some perspective on what it’s like to live with lupus in another country.
And have a great weekend, wherever you are.
Until next time, Wick
November 30, 2007
November 29, 2007
LupusShop, the LFA’s Online Store, Has Re-Opened for Business!
Good morning all. After lots of fine-tuning and upgrading on our end, I am excited to share that the LFA has recently relaunched its online store, LupusShop.
The new & improved store features educational and awareness materials (like posters, books, and fact sheets), as well as apparel, like polo shirts and ball caps. With the holidays approaching, you can find lots of gift ideas in LupusShop.
Another great addition to LupusShop … you can subscribe to Lupus Now magazine here. And, you can even order back issues. It’s a pretty cool – and convenient – feature. Take advantage of it.
So take some time, stop by and browse through LupusShop. You’ll like what you see.
Shops Ahoy!
Wick
The new & improved store features educational and awareness materials (like posters, books, and fact sheets), as well as apparel, like polo shirts and ball caps. With the holidays approaching, you can find lots of gift ideas in LupusShop.
Another great addition to LupusShop … you can subscribe to Lupus Now magazine here. And, you can even order back issues. It’s a pretty cool – and convenient – feature. Take advantage of it.
So take some time, stop by and browse through LupusShop. You’ll like what you see.
Shops Ahoy!
Wick
November 26, 2007
Lupus & Scrapbooking
Good morning all …
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and was able to spend it with family and friends. Mine was very low-key, which was nice. And I was able to catch up on some movies. Finally saw the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, starring Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams. A “thumbs up” as Roger Ebert would say.
And now to lupus news.
I would like to shine a spotlight on Nancy Jones, who writes a lupus-related blog here That’s Nancy WITH a Jones. She and I crossed paths on someone else’s blog only 2 short weeks ago, and we hit it off instantly. Let me tell you … Nancy is a hoot! And she is a woman who loves to scrapbook! And when I say loves, I mean LOVES!!
As I could never do it justice, let me have Nancy describe herself.
"I’m older than 30. I’m married to the love of my life, and we have an amazing little girl, Bella. I have Systemic Lupus Erythromysis. I scrapbook every moment of our life, just in case I’m not here one day to tell Bella all about what a wonderful life we have. I am the Design Team coordinator for http://www.treasurestoscrap.com/ and I am the My life coordinator for http://www.scrap-diner.com/. Come check it out!"
Nancy and I have already been brainstorming lots of ideas in regards to lupus awareness. We’re coming up with some pretty interesting things. She and I are also in Facebook.com. You can look for us there too.
If you can, take a moment to check out That’s Nancy WITH a Jones blog. Stop by … say hey. If you know people who love to scrapbook, have ‘em get in touch with Nancy!!
Until next time, Wick
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and was able to spend it with family and friends. Mine was very low-key, which was nice. And I was able to catch up on some movies. Finally saw the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, starring Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams. A “thumbs up” as Roger Ebert would say.
And now to lupus news.
I would like to shine a spotlight on Nancy Jones, who writes a lupus-related blog here That’s Nancy WITH a Jones. She and I crossed paths on someone else’s blog only 2 short weeks ago, and we hit it off instantly. Let me tell you … Nancy is a hoot! And she is a woman who loves to scrapbook! And when I say loves, I mean LOVES!!
As I could never do it justice, let me have Nancy describe herself.
"I’m older than 30. I’m married to the love of my life, and we have an amazing little girl, Bella. I have Systemic Lupus Erythromysis. I scrapbook every moment of our life, just in case I’m not here one day to tell Bella all about what a wonderful life we have. I am the Design Team coordinator for http://www.treasurestoscrap.com/ and I am the My life coordinator for http://www.scrap-diner.com/. Come check it out!"
Nancy and I have already been brainstorming lots of ideas in regards to lupus awareness. We’re coming up with some pretty interesting things. She and I are also in Facebook.com. You can look for us there too.
If you can, take a moment to check out That’s Nancy WITH a Jones blog. Stop by … say hey. If you know people who love to scrapbook, have ‘em get in touch with Nancy!!
Until next time, Wick
November 20, 2007
Lupus Foundation of America Chapter Spotlight: The LFA Iowa Chapter
Good morning everyone. Couple of items. One ... since this is a short work week with the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be only one blog entry. And that's today's entry. Also wanted to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving, wherever you are.
Second, I wanted to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on one of the Lupus Foundation of America's chapters. Specifically, the LFA Iowa Chapter. I am now turning the blogging reins over to them.
Until next time, Wick
Iowa's First Annual Walk for Lupus Now
The date of October 13, 2007 had been set for the LFA Iowa Chapter's Inaugural Walk for Lupus Now. Little did we know that it would rain all day, except between 9 a.m. - Noon, which was the time for the Walk. With more than 200 registered walkers, the LFA Iowa Chapter netted over $25,000. We are so very proud for what was accomplished all in the name of lupus!
The planning committee -- which consisted of 4 lupus patients, 2 parents, 1 sister of a lupus patient, and the husband of a lupus patient -- didn’t start organizing and planning the event until June. The chapter chose Kintera to organize and support the donation website, and the committee worked on finding business sponsors to help support the walk.
We reached out to those in the business community with whom we knew or had a connection. Although we were interested in getting sponsorships, our immediate goal was to bring awareness to lupus. In the process, we learned some valuable information. We found out that businesses and corporations do budgets for donations each year, so it is important to ask for their support early in the year so that they can set monies aside.
When I approached restaurants and small businesses for raffle items, I was surprised to find that some of their employees have lupus or that the people with whom I spoke knew someone who has lupus.
The Lincoln High School Drumline performed at the starting line of the Walk. Their performance pumped everyone up. Local councilman Tom Vlassis presented a proclamation from the city; a letter from Governor Chet Culver was read; and Dr. Larry Rettenmaier from the Mercy Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center spoke about advances for lupus on the horizon.
We received excellent responses from everyone who attended and was a part of the Walk. We now can look forward to a bigger and better Walk next year.
Can I say WOW, what an experience!! If you live in Iowa, we hope to see you next year.
Sara Webster
Co-Chair, IA Walk for Lupus Now 2007
Second, I wanted to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on one of the Lupus Foundation of America's chapters. Specifically, the LFA Iowa Chapter. I am now turning the blogging reins over to them.
Until next time, Wick
Iowa's First Annual Walk for Lupus Now
The date of October 13, 2007 had been set for the LFA Iowa Chapter's Inaugural Walk for Lupus Now. Little did we know that it would rain all day, except between 9 a.m. - Noon, which was the time for the Walk. With more than 200 registered walkers, the LFA Iowa Chapter netted over $25,000. We are so very proud for what was accomplished all in the name of lupus!
The planning committee -- which consisted of 4 lupus patients, 2 parents, 1 sister of a lupus patient, and the husband of a lupus patient -- didn’t start organizing and planning the event until June. The chapter chose Kintera to organize and support the donation website, and the committee worked on finding business sponsors to help support the walk.
We reached out to those in the business community with whom we knew or had a connection. Although we were interested in getting sponsorships, our immediate goal was to bring awareness to lupus. In the process, we learned some valuable information. We found out that businesses and corporations do budgets for donations each year, so it is important to ask for their support early in the year so that they can set monies aside.
When I approached restaurants and small businesses for raffle items, I was surprised to find that some of their employees have lupus or that the people with whom I spoke knew someone who has lupus.
The Lincoln High School Drumline performed at the starting line of the Walk. Their performance pumped everyone up. Local councilman Tom Vlassis presented a proclamation from the city; a letter from Governor Chet Culver was read; and Dr. Larry Rettenmaier from the Mercy Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center spoke about advances for lupus on the horizon.
We received excellent responses from everyone who attended and was a part of the Walk. We now can look forward to a bigger and better Walk next year.
Can I say WOW, what an experience!! If you live in Iowa, we hope to see you next year.
Sara Webster
Co-Chair, IA Walk for Lupus Now 2007
November 16, 2007
Lupus Living!
First, let me just say a big thank you to all the lupus bloggers who are reaching out to me. It has been really great hearing from you, and I look forward to working / communicating with each one of you! I know there are others of you out there. Please feel free to get in touch with me via this blog, or at my email addy below.
And so I’m sure you know what’s coming next. That’s right; I want to share another blog with everyone. The blog, Lupus Living!, is written by a woman who has been living with lupus since she was 14. She has a lot of really great pics on her blog. Stop by and say hey.
As always, if you’re aware of any lupus-related blogs, or cool fund-raising events, or websites that you think I might want to know about, please feel free to share it with me at davis@lupus.org.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Until next time, Wick
And so I’m sure you know what’s coming next. That’s right; I want to share another blog with everyone. The blog, Lupus Living!, is written by a woman who has been living with lupus since she was 14. She has a lot of really great pics on her blog. Stop by and say hey.
As always, if you’re aware of any lupus-related blogs, or cool fund-raising events, or websites that you think I might want to know about, please feel free to share it with me at davis@lupus.org.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Until next time, Wick
November 14, 2007
Aging & Lupus: Today's Webchat at the Lupus Foundation of America
Morning all ... wanted to give you a quick reminder about the Lupus Foundation of America's November Webchat.
This afternoon, Wednesday, November 14, at 3 p.m. EST, Dr. Ronenn Roubenoff, a Sr. Director of Immunology Medical Research at Biogen Idec, Inc. in Cambridge, MA, will host a Webchat on Aging & Lupus.
Dr. Roubenoff received his M.D. from Northwestern University in 1983, and trained in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was Chief Resident in Medicine. In 1990 he completed concurrent fellowships in Rheumatology and in Clinical Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins, receiving a Master of Health Science degree. He then trained in nutrition at Tufts University with Irwin Rosenberg, and in immunology with Charles Dinarello.
Dr. Roubenoff has done pioneering work on the interactions of nutrition, exercise and hormonal and immune regulators of metabolism in aging and chronic disease, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. He has published more than 200 papers in the medical literature as well as writing for lay audiences. He is co-author of a New York Times Bestselling book on exercise and nutrition treatment of arthritis.
We hope you can join us for today’s Webchat. It should be interesting.
Until next time, Wick
This afternoon, Wednesday, November 14, at 3 p.m. EST, Dr. Ronenn Roubenoff, a Sr. Director of Immunology Medical Research at Biogen Idec, Inc. in Cambridge, MA, will host a Webchat on Aging & Lupus.
Dr. Roubenoff received his M.D. from Northwestern University in 1983, and trained in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was Chief Resident in Medicine. In 1990 he completed concurrent fellowships in Rheumatology and in Clinical Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins, receiving a Master of Health Science degree. He then trained in nutrition at Tufts University with Irwin Rosenberg, and in immunology with Charles Dinarello.
Dr. Roubenoff has done pioneering work on the interactions of nutrition, exercise and hormonal and immune regulators of metabolism in aging and chronic disease, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. He has published more than 200 papers in the medical literature as well as writing for lay audiences. He is co-author of a New York Times Bestselling book on exercise and nutrition treatment of arthritis.
We hope you can join us for today’s Webchat. It should be interesting.
Until next time, Wick
November 12, 2007
Tips for a Happy & Healthy Holiday
Avoid saturated fats. According to Stacy Shaul, a certified clinical nutritionist in Los Angeles, "the saturated fat coming from both dairy and red meat causes an inflammatory response, which is exactly what people with autoimmune diseases should avoid." Load up instead on fruit, vegetables, and lean meats like turkey.
Don't celebrate on an empty stomach. "Just as one shouldn't go grocery shopping when hungry, it's best not to go to a party hungry," Shaul says. A nutrient-rich snack -- such as a handful of Brazil nuts, which are high in anti-inflammatory selenium -- takes the edge off and prevents hors d'oeuvres overload.
Go potluck. When preparing that pre-party snack, why not make enough for everyone? "Offer to bring a healthy item, such as a green salad, so that there will definitely be healthy items available," Shaul suggests.
Try something fishy. Fish oil can combat depression, which may be especially acute around the holidays. After consulting your doctor, Shaul says, "Try to eat more fish such as salmon and sardines, which offer the omega-3 fatty acids proven to relieve depressive symptoms and reduce inflammation.
Make room for exercise. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, moderate exercise increases flexibility, muscle strength, and cardiac fitness, and may help depression. If your regular exercise routine feels too time-consuming, try breaking it up to fit your holiday schedule. The American College of Rheumatology reports that three 10-minute increments of exercise, which can be done in several short walks throughout the day, have the same effect as one 30-minute routine.
Taken from the Fall 2005 issue of Lupus Now. Written by Emily Wojcik
Don't celebrate on an empty stomach. "Just as one shouldn't go grocery shopping when hungry, it's best not to go to a party hungry," Shaul says. A nutrient-rich snack -- such as a handful of Brazil nuts, which are high in anti-inflammatory selenium -- takes the edge off and prevents hors d'oeuvres overload.
Go potluck. When preparing that pre-party snack, why not make enough for everyone? "Offer to bring a healthy item, such as a green salad, so that there will definitely be healthy items available," Shaul suggests.
Try something fishy. Fish oil can combat depression, which may be especially acute around the holidays. After consulting your doctor, Shaul says, "Try to eat more fish such as salmon and sardines, which offer the omega-3 fatty acids proven to relieve depressive symptoms and reduce inflammation.
Make room for exercise. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, moderate exercise increases flexibility, muscle strength, and cardiac fitness, and may help depression. If your regular exercise routine feels too time-consuming, try breaking it up to fit your holiday schedule. The American College of Rheumatology reports that three 10-minute increments of exercise, which can be done in several short walks throughout the day, have the same effect as one 30-minute routine.
Taken from the Fall 2005 issue of Lupus Now. Written by Emily Wojcik
November 09, 2007
LFA Attends the American College of Rheumatology's Annual Meeting
Good morning all ...
It's been a quiet week in terms of updating the blog. Several staff, including myself, have been in Boston attending the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting. This is my first time attending this meeting, and it's been impressive.
Attendees of this meeting include physicians, health professionals and scientists ... basically all people who are connected to the care of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. And as you know, lupus is a rheumatic disease.
The programs offered during this meeting have a few objectives, including:
Until next time, Wick
It's been a quiet week in terms of updating the blog. Several staff, including myself, have been in Boston attending the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting. This is my first time attending this meeting, and it's been impressive.
Attendees of this meeting include physicians, health professionals and scientists ... basically all people who are connected to the care of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. And as you know, lupus is a rheumatic disease.
The programs offered during this meeting have a few objectives, including:
- To provide an in-depth presentation of the recent advances in the diagnosis, management rheumatic diseases
- To provide a forum for exchange of new research data by scientists/investigators working rheumatic diseases
Until next time, Wick
November 05, 2007
"Chronic Chick" Talks About Living with Lupus
Came across another blog to share with everyone. The blog, Chronic Chick Talk, is written by a woman with lupus. She describes her blog as a “ … spot … for anyone dealing with a chronic condition and anyone who wants to learn about chronic conditions.”
“Chronic Chick” has lived with lupus for more than 5 years. Her lupus caused her to have a small stroke, and it affects her nervous system. Chronic Chick Talk talks about the daily challenges of living with lupus, and how something as seemingly easy to do as going to the store to grocery shop can be difficult.
Take a moment to check out Chronic Chick’s blog. Stop by and say hey.
If you’re aware of any lupus-related blogs, or cool fund-raising events, or websites that you think I might want to know about, please feel free to share it with me at davis@lupus.org.
Until next time, Wick
“Chronic Chick” has lived with lupus for more than 5 years. Her lupus caused her to have a small stroke, and it affects her nervous system. Chronic Chick Talk talks about the daily challenges of living with lupus, and how something as seemingly easy to do as going to the store to grocery shop can be difficult.
Take a moment to check out Chronic Chick’s blog. Stop by and say hey.
If you’re aware of any lupus-related blogs, or cool fund-raising events, or websites that you think I might want to know about, please feel free to share it with me at davis@lupus.org.
Until next time, Wick
November 02, 2007
2008 Lupus Webchat Schedule Posted on LFA Website
Morning all.
The 2008 schedule of lupus-related Webchats has been posted to the lupus.org Website. Dates and guest speakers are still being finalized, but the topics have been confirmed. And here they are ...
Mark your calendars now. And hope to see you at a Webchat.
Until next time, Wick
The 2008 schedule of lupus-related Webchats has been posted to the lupus.org Website. Dates and guest speakers are still being finalized, but the topics have been confirmed. And here they are ...
- January 2008 -- New Year's Resolutions
- February 2008 -- Women's Heart Health
- March 2008 -- Kidneys & Lupus
- April 2008 -- GastroIntestinal Issues & Lupus
- May 2008 -- Medication Management & Lupus
- May 2008 -- Being Newly Diagnosed with Lupus
- June 2008 -- Men's Health & Lupus
- June 2008 -- Immunizations & Lupus
- July 2008 -- UV Light & Lupus
- August 2008 -- Lupus & Overlap with Other Diseases
- September 2008 -- Healthy Aging & Lupus
- October 2008 -- Reproductive Health & Lupus
- October 2008 -- Infections & Lupus
- November 2008 -- Healthy Eating & Weight Management & Lupus
- December 2008 -- Depression & Lupus
- Wednesday, November 14 -- Aging & Lupus
Dr. Ronenn Roubenoff, Senior Director of Molecular Medicine at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Wednesday, December 12 -- Teens and Lupus
Dr. Peter Chira, Stanford University School of Medicine
Mark your calendars now. And hope to see you at a Webchat.
Until next time, Wick
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