Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter

August 2022
Message From CEO Brian Rothenberger
Welcome to our August 2022 newsletter! A lot has happened since last month, and we've got even more exciting things coming down the pike.

On July 19th I had the pleasure of attending the Kokomo UAW Local 685 member meeting where I was presented with a check for $10,294 from a lupus fundraiser put on by their Community Service Committee. Ms. Kim Story and her team are awesome and we are grateful for their support!

The annual "Faces of Lupus" Fashion Show on July 23rd was a blast, with Ms. Carla Day putting together another successful event in support of the PATH (Patient Access to Healthcare) program. Many thanks to all the models, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees that took part.

Ms. Chanel Barrett has joined our team as Director of Operations and Patient Services and has already begun to make an impact. You'll read more about her below. Please reach out and introduce yourself - I know she'd love to hear from you.

Read on for details regarding the National Center for Racial Equity and Inclusion Public Health Summit that we will be participating in on September 15th at Martin University (please join us) and the 2nd Annual #AmberStrong Lupus Benefit Ride on September 17th in Sheridan (hope to see you there)!

And...don't forget about our 2022 Walk to End Lupus Now coming up on October 8th at Military Park in downtown Indianapolis! More details coming very soon!

Interested in joining a support group? Looking for a meaningful way to serve those with lupus? Know someone who may be interested in supporting our efforts financially? Please email me at brian@lupusindiana.org or give me a call at 317.225.4400. I would LOVE to get acquainted!

Blessings,
-Brian

Welcome Chanel Barrett!
We're very excited to welcome Chanel Barrett to our LFA-IN team as the Director of Operations and Patient Services! Chanel comes to us from the State of Indiana where she served Hoosiers through the federal Social Security Disability program and Vocational Rehabilitation Services. As a Lupus Warrior herself, she has a deep connection to our mission. Since she was diagnosed almost seven years ago, she has educated herself about the disease to be a strong advocate and active participant in her overall care. We're confident Chanel's previous work and life experiences will serve our Chapter and constituents well. Chanel's most recent involvement with our Chapter was being one of the beautiful models in the Faces of Lupus Fashion Show last month. Learn More About Chanel

Walk to End Lupus Now
Save the date of Saturday, October 8th, for the Walk to End Lupus Now being held at Military Park in downtown Indianapolis. We're so excited to be reunited for an in-person Walk this year and are looking forward to the opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones!  There's no cost to register this year but this is our biggest fundraiser of the year so walkers will need to donate or fundraise $50 to receive a Walk t-shirt. Of course, there are also lots of great fundraising incentive prizes for you to earn! The Walk registration site will be ready soon and we'll send an email letting you know as soon as you can register. In the meantime, if you're going to have a Walk team, now would be a great time to notify your team members to save the date!  Hear from Walk Chair Karen Deno
FDA Approves Benlysta for Children with Lupus Nephritis
GSK announced that Benlysta received FDA approval to treat children (5-17 years old) with lupus nephritis (LN) who are receiving standard therapy. This is the first FDA-approved treatment for children with LN. Benlysta was approved to treat lupus in adults in 2011 and for children in 2019. The treatment also received approval to treat lupus nephritis in adults in 2020. This approval represents yet another crucial advancement for treating childhood lupus, which can be more aggressive and severe than it is in adults. The symptoms of childhood lupus are more intense, and the disease can have long-term effects on a child’s growth, quality of life, and even how long they live. Most children who develop LN are diagnosed within the first two years of their lupus diagnosis.  Learn More

Faces of Lupus Fashion Show logo
We had a great time at the recent Faces of Lupus Fashion Show and raised over $40,000 for our  Chapter's Patient Access to Healthcare (PATH) program that provides emergency assistance to Hoosiers who are battling lupus.  Special thanks to Carla Day, the founder and organizer of the Faces of Lupus Fashion Show, for her hard work and dedication, along with our models and volunteers, for making this wonderful event possible.   Watch Video   View Photos

Community Partner Partnership Sponsors:
 Eli Lilly and Company                 GSK Us in Lupus logo

Community Partner Guardian Sponsor: AstraZeneca
Faces of Lupus Fashion Show Benefactor Sponsor: Williams & Bluitt Funeral Home


Mark Your Calendars
UPCOMING ANNUAL EVENTS:
October 8 - Walk to End Lupus Now
Download the 2022 Timeline of Events

RECURRING EVENTS:
'Let's Talk About It' Webinar Series (Monthly) 
Support Group Meetings (Monthly) 
Gentle Yoga Facebook Live (Bi-Monthly)
Mindful Meditation Facebook (Monthly)
Serve on the LFA-IN Chapter Board of Directors
Our LFA-IN Chapter is seeking qualified candidates to serve on our Board of Directors. Our continued success depends on the personal commitment and active involvement of a select group of elected individuals who embrace the privilege to serve and the responsibility to lead. Board members are expected to be zealous advocates on our behalf, enthusiastic communicators of our mission and vision, aspire to the growth of our organization, and play an integral role in our leadership development and fundraising activities.       Board Expectations     Submit Application
Walk Planning Committee and Volunteers Needed
The planning committee for our 2022 Walk to End Lupus Now is now forming! If you or someone you know is interested in planning and implementing the Walk or being a day-of volunteer for the Walk, please email chanel@lupusindiana.org. 

Connect With Us Via Text!
Simply text the keyword “lfaindiana” to 50155 to get notifications and updates via text. It’s quick, easy and a great way to stay connected.

UAW Local 685 Fundraiser
Ms. Kimberly Story, Trustee with UAW Local 685 in Kokomo, IN, invited Brian Rothenberger to attend their Union Membership Meeting on July 19th, where they presented him with a check for $10,294! This generous donation was the result of a fundraising dance organized by members of the UAW Local 685 Community Service Committee in honor of one of their members. Many thanks to Kim and her colleagues – look for pictures of the check presentation once they become available.

#AmberStrong Lupus Benefit Ride
Come join the fun in Sheridan, IN at the 2nd Annual #AmberStrong Lupus Benefit Ride, on Saturday, September 17th! Organized by Ms. Amy Bianchi in honor of her daughter, Amber – a lupus warrior – this year’s ride looks to be even more exciting than last year’s, so make your plans now and don’t miss out. Event will be held at the Sheridan American Legion Post 67, 406 East 10th Street, Sheridan, IN 46069. Registration 9-10:45 am, Kickstand up at 11:00 am. For event information, check out their Facebook page.

NCREI Public Health Summit
The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter is partnering with the National Center for Racial Equity and Inclusion (NCREI) for their inaugural Public Health Summit on Lupus, Thursday, September 15th, at Martin University in Indianapolis. We’ll be having sessions with medical professionals, a Lupus Warrior panel, luncheon keynote by lupus warrior and LFA Indiana Ambassador Carla Day, and a community resource fair in the afternoon. You don’t want to miss this event! Registration is free at https://martinuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2ry3P90CzbEVzeu.

We would like to shine a light on our Facebook Fundraising Stars for the month of July who raised $205! Thank you to those who fundraise for and donate to our Chapter; we truly appreciate your support.  Head to our Facebook page to donate or start your own fundraiser!  

July 2022 Facebook Fundraisers

Learn how to start your own Facebook Fundraiser


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Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter

Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter
9302 N. Meridian Street, Suite 203
Indianapolis, Indiana 46260
Phone: 317.225.4400 | info@lupusindiana.org

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus through programs of research, education, support and advocacy.
WAYS TO GIVE
RAISE FUNDS
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