Spring 2010 Issue of Lupus Now Magazine ... Coming in March to a Mailbox Near You!

The BIG news on the upcoming Spring 2010 issue of Lupus Now magazine is that singer-songwriters Julian Lennon (son of Beatle John Lennon) and American musician James Scott Cook are featured on the cover! These two have given their unwavering support to our lupus awareness and research efforts, and their exclusive interview can only be found in this issue of Lupus Now!

Are you wondering whether what you eat can affect lupus? Be sure to read our article on “The ABCs of Nutrition.” While we do not have a specific lupus diet to offer you, there are definitely certain foods and vitamins you need to know about.

“Think Again” looks at the invisible changes caused when lupus affects the brain. These complications can affect your ability to retain, recall, and process information. In many instances, though, the coping strategies we offer can help you find your way.

Sometimes you have to just say ‘no’! In “Time Out” you will learn how to say, “No, I’m sorry, not today,” nicely but firmly. (We recommend you start with friends or family, who will be sympathetic, before you try this out on your boss!)

You also can read about some of the exciting lupus research taking place in the U.S., and around the world. This summary of lupus-related information presented at the 2009 meeting of the American College of Rheumatology appears in the Health Care Professionals section.

And have you noticed that lupus has been in the news a lot lately? Find out where in the Foundation News section.

Subscribe online to make sure you never miss an issue!

Guest Blogger Amanda Davenport Dishes on LUCY and Lennon

Hey everyone, it’s me again … Amanda. I wanted to share with all of you a great experience I recently had.

This past Tuesday, December 15th, I had the privilege of going to the CBS Early Show with a few of the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) ladies -- my new friends Maggie and Sara -- to meet Julian Lennon and James Scott Cook. We were there to show support for their new single "LUCY" which will help raise awareness and money for lupus.

What a great time we had! It was so nice to finally meet Maggie and Sara, and they are absolutely awesome. We are so fortunate to have them working with us to give lupus the proper attention it deserves. I know I am thankful.

Despite the very cold temperature, it was nice to feel the warmth of a crowd gathered together for a common cause. The fact that we got to meet Julian Lennon and James Scott Cook made it a day I will never forget.

If you do not know the backstory of the song "LUCY," I encourage you to visit lupus.org/Lucy. Here's a little hint. Julian Lennon's "LUCY" is the same "LUCY" from a certain Beatles' song written by his father, John. The fact that James Scott Cook's grandmother also has lupus -- and is also named Lucy -- made the song that much more poignant.

Meeting Julian and finding out just how truly nice a guy he is, coupled with the fact that he is very passionate about helping those of us affected by lupus, inspired me and those I was with to try to do even more.

Thanks to all of you who keep up the fight, and to Maggie and Sara for coming to NYC for this amazing event. And a very special thank you to Julian Lennon and James Scott Cook for creating such a lovely song that carries a message of hope for all of us.

I am very proud to say that I was there that day.

If you'd like to see more pictures from that day, please become a fan of the LFA in Facebook.

I wish everyone happy holidays! Keep Fighting!

Amanda

photos courtesy of Amanda Davenport
Top right photo: Julian Lennon poses with Amanda Davenport
Bottom right photo: James Scott Cook signs Amanda's Walk for Lupus Now t-shirt

The Story behind LUCY

As you have no doubt heard, musicians James Scott Cook and Julian Lennon have partnered to release the song, LUCY. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Lupus Foundation of America and the Saint Thomas' Lupus Trust in Great Britain to support lupus research.

In this video, Julian explains the associations between his childhood friend, one of his father's most famous songs, and the autoimmune disease lupus. Then he and James perform an acoustic version of the song, LUCY.

Download LUCY from iTunes and Support Finding a Cure for Lupus

Musicians James Scott Cook and Julian Lennon are doing their part in the search for a cure for Lupus. For both men – this is personal. James’ 92-year-old grandmother, Lucy Cook, has lived with lupus for many years, and Julian’s childhood friend, Lucy Vodden, recently passed away at the age of 46 after a long battle with the disease.

You may already have heard the story that one day four-year old Julian brought home a watercolor painting of his friend and classmate, Lucy Vodden. Julian told his dad that the drawing was “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” which inspired his father, the legendary John Lennon, to write one of his most famous songs of the same name.

To honor both of these women James and Julian have partnered to release the song, “LUCY.” A portion of the proceeds will be donated equally to the Lupus Foundation of America and the St. Thomas Lupus Trust in Great Britain to support lupus research.

Download LUCY Today!

From now until March 15, 2010, 100 percent of the proceeds from each download of the “LUCY” from iTunes will be donated to lupus research. Don't have iTunes on your computer? Download the software here.

Let’s keep the momentum going!

Help us spread the word and invite others to support raising awareness of and funds for lupus research. By taking just a few minutes you can honor someone in your life who lives with lupus, just like James and Julian are doing.

Send an e-card (up to 10 per day) to your friends and family, and ask them to join you and “band together” to support lupus research by downloading “LUCY” from iTunes.

Learn More

Learn more about the story behind LUCY on the LFA website.