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November 16, 2016
Serving Indiana |
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What is the best way to deal with holiday stress? Scroll down for the answer. |
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Greetings! We have a number of November and December happenings and we hope to see many of you at one of these in the upcoming weeks. Our Annual Fund Campaign is progressing and receives a jump start when we recognize Tuesday, November 29th as this year’s #GivingTuesday opportunity. Giving Tuesday continues to expand the reach of nonprofits worldwide and provides a moment after the family-focused holiday to reflect on the needs of your community. Please donate -any amount -to our Indiana Chapter on this important day of support and recognition. We will soon fill four spots on our Board to replace those who have served our Chapter over the past years – we would be remiss without recognizing the immense contributions of the following Board members in 2016: Karen Deno, Board Chair; Ronda Hite, Board Treasurer; Joann Ingulli-Fattic, Board Member; and Terry Cala, Board Member. Thank you to each of these individuals for dedicated service. If you have an interest in a volunteer Board spot and have questions about time commitment and requirements, I would love to talk with you about placement and the experience, overall. This month’s enewsletter is filled with tips to live better with this disease and with programs offered to become better educated, better equipped to manage lupus, and become a better advocate. In the beginning of December, through our Annual Giving Campaign, we will ask you to participate in the success of this Chapter and give this season – the only gift that is too small is no gift at all. There is no better time to contribute as we approach Year 2 of our 2016-19 Strategic Plan. Together we can make a defining difference for all the people affected by lupus in our state. Happy Thanksgiving and safe holiday travels, Sincerely,
Morgan E. McGill, CEO
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How lucky we are as an organization, to have not one, but two, outstanding women named as our 2016 Volunteers of the Year. Karen Guidarelli and Michelle McGuire (pictured above, left and right respectively) have played enormous roles for our Chapter, contributing to the success of several major events. While these amazing women reside in different regions of our state and became involved with the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter for different reasons, they are both dedicated to raising awareness and finding a cure for lupus. Karen Guidarelli lives in Westville, Indiana, which is in the northwestern part of the state. When her daughter's best friend, Sherry, was diagnosed with lupus in 2013, it sparked Karen into becoming involved with our Chapter to help spread awareness. In 2014, she formed her first "Sherry's SuperHeroes" Walk team for the Crown Point, Indiana Walk, which was one of the top fundraising teams. In 2016, when our Chapter needed a volunteer Walk Chair, Karen jumped right in, in Sherry's words, "going above and beyond for the Chapter and for me personally." Michelle McGuire is from Indianapolis and has been volunteering her time and talents with our Chapter for several years. Michelle has lupus and attends our monthly support group. While we know the toll that lupus can take, Michelle seems to push through any physical struggles while she takes on crucial roles for our Chapter. Having served on the Walk committee in years past, in 2016 she took on the Indy Walk Logistics Chair position. She did a fantastic job coordinating Walk vendors, making the tribute memorial, posting signage in the wee hours of the morning, and handling the Tshirt contest, which had more entries than ever this year. Staff and Board are so appreciative of these two amazing women and the selfless dedication they have given our Chapter. We are honored that they are such a tremendous part of what makes LFA, Indiana Chapter a success in bringing awareness, offering support, and finding a cure for lupus. Congratulations, Karen and Michelle! |
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Give the Gift of Relaxation This Holiday Season by Lisa Kelly |
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When it was suggested that I write a holiday piece on "what to get someone with lupus," I was downright giddy. Not only did I get to window shop online during work hours, I also got to choose products that I believe will relieve stress, increase relaxation, and comfort those who are affected by lupus. I hope you feel the same way. The Hug-me Cardi from Soft Surroundings. You can be cuddled even when you're alone in this super-soft, faux fur bed jacket with large pockets. Perfect for Netflix binging through an Indiana winter. Comes in five soothing colors. At $64.96, this is the priciest item on my list. The Himalayan Glow Large Ionic Salt Crystal Lamp may seem like an odd choice but I keep reading about all the benefits of having one, and I tend to error on the side of "can't hurt; might help." Salt lamps emit negative ions and are touted for a myriad of health benefits including: reducing allergy and asthma symptoms, reducing stress levels, helping you achieve better sleep, increasing energy levels, improving mood & concentration, and treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). All for $29.99. I think I need one too. Read more about the benefits of having a salt lamp. Adult Coloring Books are still the rage, probably because coloring is such an easy and relaxing pasttime. With everything from relaxing patterns to swear words, there's an adult coloring book out there for everyone. I chose this sweet one from Bass Stores for only $12.99. Who doesn't love soaking the stress away in a hot bath? Why not add a Bath Bomb from Lush in the form of floral fizzies or a fruity color surprise. This store is not only fun, it promises there's "a bath bomb perfect for every bathing experience." Pick up a few to help relax and bring smiles to someone you love; they run between $5 and $9 a piece. If the bath bomb and the the salt lamp don't ease your stress, I offer the Dammit Doll. These not so adorable dolls are handmade and extremely durable. The creators mean for you to squeeze it, slam it, and bang it at work or at home, until you release your lupus-related frustrations; it doesn't hurt that this one is purple. Only $15.87 for short-term relief. We haven't forgotten the men on our list -- this admittedly odd-looking Passback Football is non-stop fun for boys ages 10 to 99. The football is flat on one side, allowing you to throw it against a wall and have it return to you. This should help de-stress the men in our lives in no time. $39.99 at passbacksports.com. Finally, for a sweet Holiday treat, check out these yummy Champagne Gummy Bears from Sugarfina. What a decadent treat for $8.50. Also available at Sax Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom department stores. If your Holiday shopping includes any of the products I've highlighted, please email me here and let me know if it relieved stress or brought a smile to you or someone you love. Happy Holidays! Remember that if you shop Amazon this holiday season, you can use AmazonSmile to donate a percentage of the cost of your purchase to our Chapter. Here's the link! |
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Events You Don't Want to Miss |
Lupus Living Magazine |
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Purple for a Purpose Youth Experience It's time! This Saturday's event is for children and teens ages 7-19 who have lupus or have a family member with lupus. Parents are welcome to attend with their children. All participants will be led in a painting exercise and will take their painting home with them. This educational and fun event will be held Saturday, 11/19, from 1:00-4:00 pm. on the campus of Park Tudor School in Indianapolis.
We now offer Gentle Yoga and Tai Chi classes for people with lupus and one caregiver or support person. If you haven't attended yet, you're missing out on relaxation, new friends, and numerous health benefits. Sign up now! COST IS FREE BUT REGISTRATION FOR FIRST CLASS IS REQUIRED. After initial registration, the classes are drop-in. LEARN MORE When: 2nd & 4th Saturday of month*, 11:00 am-12:00 pm *December Tai Chi class will be held the 3rd Sat., December 17. Next Class: Tai Chi on 11/26. Location:
Our November "Living with Lupus" seminar is scheduled for Monday, 11/28 in Valparaiso. Speakers include Dr. Karen Kovalow-St. John, Rheumatologist. on "Managing Chronic Pain"; and Lynda Schobert, Yoga Instructor (Seated/Chair supported yoga). This seminar is designed to help educate lupus patients and their families about the disease. Please join us from 6 - 8 p.m. (check-in at 5:30). Registration is required; registration fee will be refunded at check-in. Click here for more information and a link to register.
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." -Winston Churchill After the dust settles from Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we hope you will celebrate #GivingTuesday with us. Please donate on November 29th, 2016, to help the LFA, Indiana Chapter provide education, programs, and support to the 36,000 Hoosiers affected by lupus.
Make Your Mark is our local community fundraising program. It gives everyone a chance to get involved in supporting the fight against lupus. Tis the season to Make Your Holiday Mark by hosting your own small fundraiser for LFA, Indiana Chapter. Here are a few ideas we found to help you get started. 1. Host an Ugly Sweater Party - Charge a $10 entrance fee and give a prize to the ugliest sweater (as voted upon by guests). 2. Gather friends, loved ones, and your choir buddies for a night of caroling. It's nostalgic, and magical (if you have good singers). Be sure to have the decorated donation bucket at the front of the caroling group where it can be seen. 3. Host a bake sale at your church or school. Recruit friends and family members to bake delicious holiday treats and use signage that says what organization will receive the proceeds. Create your event and we will help promote it on Facebook andn our Chapter website. Be sure you take photos and share them, so we know how much fun you had making your mark! Sign up to create your own Make Your Mark event.
The Lupus Foundation, Indiana Chapter is thrilled to partner with Chili's Give Back Program. Dine in at any Indiana or Kentucky Chili's location, tell them you would like your meal to benefit The Lupus Foundation, Indiana Chapter, and give them code #99999000007262. They will donate 15% of your pre-tax purchase to US! It's that easy. Chili's Give Back Program continues through January 31, 2017. Click here for more information.
We hope you'll join us at one of our support group meetings this month! The philosophy of our support groups is to provide a warm and caring environment where people with lupus, their family members, caregivers, and loved ones can share their experiences, methods of coping, and insights into living with lupus. LFA support groups help develop the best coping strategies to reduce stress that often accompanies living with a chronic illness. Dates and times vary by location. To learn more about support groups in your area, click here. |
You may notice that your Fall 2016 copy of Lupus Living magazine looks and feels different. The pages are larger, and chock full of valuable information including articles on low intensity workout, yoga positions that bring pain relief, and fun things to do when you're stuck inside the house. They've also added several full-color recipe pages to help keep you on a healthy, but yummy track. Finally, you'll meet a family who discusses overcoming the challenges of lupus. Please give us your feedback on the new magazine, and be on the lookout for a survey to help you do just that! We'd like to hear what you think of the new format and content. Complete the survey or email your thoughts to info@lupusindiana.org. |
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Meet Our Fall Interns |
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Our interns this fall have done nothing less than delight with their work and their committment to our mission. Both are multi-taskers juggling school, work, and their internships with LFA, Indiana Chapter. Their amazing energy is inspiring to staff. Ron Street, 20, is a business administration & marketing major at Grace College. Ron interns with us two days a week, attends class, works part-time, and models. Ron has taken the Instagram reins for us and enjoys creating for social media. Ron says, "Although I have a small role, I feel good knowing I can help others affected by lupus in my community." Kalyn Guyer, a junior at Grace College, and a business management major, hopes to open her own dance studio one day. At the LFA, Indiana Chapter, Kalyn helped organize, set-up, and assist at the Indy Walk to End Lupus Now! She loved being able to see everyone come together and have a good time. Kalyn has been instrumental in helping us in the office with everything from merchandise inventory to building resource lists for our members. We wish Ron and Kalyn every success in their promising futures, and hope they return to us in the years to come. |
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Get Your Tickets Now! |
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The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter is selling tickets to the Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets game on Monday, December 12th, 2016. A portion of ticket sales will be given back to our Chapter, so show your Pacer pride and help provide support to your local Chapter at the same time! Print the flier here. Lower Balcony: $23.60 each |
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2017 Committee Call-Out Meetings |
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Join us at our 2017 Walk to End Lupus Now! call-out meeting for anyone who is interested in being on the Walk Committee. We are gathering at Chili’s restaurant on the westside (Trader’s Point area) on 86th street on December 1 (Thursday), at 6pm. We will provide information on the roles available, the meeting dates in 2017, and a Q&A session. Hope to see you December 1st! Save the Date.
There's still time to join the planning committee for our 2017 A Tasteful Affair (ATA) event. Come to our call-out meeting this Thursday, November 17th, at 7 p.m. at the home of Tonya Sullivan. The more commitee members and volunteers we have for these events, the better these events will be. So bring your mom, your husband, and/or your best friend. Please email Lisa if you are interested in attending.
We are still looking for several dedicated individuals to lead our support group meetings! We are currently in need of a co-facilitators for Kokomo and facilitators for Evansville and Lafayette. Facilitators will attend a 4-hour training session on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. You do not have to have lupus to be a facilitator. Click here to read the Facilitator Role Description If you're interested or would like additional information, please contact Debbie Campbell.
Our Chapter is in need of a laptop computer for our interns to use. We have an old one, but it is in fact, too old to use with Outlook Mail. Please consider donating a laptop today. Email Lisa to get more details. Thank you!
* Please note that our LFA, Indiana Chapter office will be closed for the holiday December 24 - January 1. We will re-open on Monday, January 2, 2017. |
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The holidays can be fun, but they can also be very stressful. Any type of stress on the body has been suspected to trigger a lupus flare. With the impending holiday season, it is important to give yourself time in order to prepare for the potential incoming stress. You can learn ways to manage and cope with stress to ensure that you enjoy the holiday season flare free. In this Ask the Expert Q&A, Cindy Coney answers your questions about dealing with holiday stress with lupus. Read more |
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Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter |
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