Having trouble reading this email? Click here to view in a browser. December 4, 2017 Serving Indiana   How can I manage being a caregiver from a distance?  Scroll down for the answer. Dear Friends, Happy Holidays to you and yours this season. As the year draws to a a close, we are most thankful to each one of you for your ongoing support. Because of you, we continue to strive in our mission, to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus through programs of research, education, support and advocacy. This Saturday, December 9th is one of the most exciting events of the year for us --our 'In the Loop - Healthy Living with Lupus' Symposium.  *REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH. If you would like to register after that date, please call the office at 317.225.4400 or 800.948.8806 and we will do our best to accommodate you. If you require hotel accommodations, a group rate of $139/night is available. The hotel offers an indoor pool and fitness center for guests' enjoyment. To book a hotel room at this rate, please visit: https://aws.passkey.com/e/49134279 or call 317.244.6861 and ask for reservations department or Dina Moore and provide the group code "LUP" or tell them you are with the Lupus Foundation. This group rate is also good for Saturday night, so make a weekend of it! We wish you a peaceful holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year! We have much to be thankful for, and much to look forward to in 2018. Happy Holidays, Lisa Kelly Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter In the Loop - Healthy Living with Lupus Symposium Dec 9th                                                                     Get in the loop by attending this year's 'In the Loop - Healthy Living with Lupus' educational symposium being provided by our Chapter! Attendees can select topics of interest from morning and afternoon breakout sessions led by national and local professionals.   Date: Saturday, December 9, 2017 Time:  9:30 am-3:45 pm (check-in, continental breakfast and exhibit booths from 8:30-9:30 am) Location: Crowne Plaza Airport, 2501 S. High School Rd. in Indianapolis Dr. Susan Manzi, Director, Lupus Center of Excellence and Chair, Department of Medicine Allegheny Health Network, will be our special guest. Also hear from Terri Lee, Director of the Office of Women's Health, Indiana State Health Department on the importance of awareness and research for lupus and other health disparities.  Breakout session topics and speakers: Lupus and Mental Health - Judy Schaff, psychotherapist who has lupus “Despite Lupus: How to Live Well with a Chronic Illness” - Sara Gorman, author and health blogger who has lupus Lupus and Healthy Sleep - Dr. Stephanie Jackson, IU Sleep Disorders Center Gentle Yoga/Tai Chi Session - Pam Glenn/Bonnie Sweeney Value of Alternative Methods in Dealing with Chronic Disease - Dr. Ralph Waldo, Connected Health Care Systems Stress Management - Sydney Johnson, CHW, Anthem Indiana Medicaid Relationships, Emotions and Intimacy - Iris Zink, president, Rheumatology Nurses Society Energize Me: Diet, Meal Planning and Exercise - Shantay Glover, YMCA certified fitness trainer How to Advocate - Gary Gibson, president/CEO, Martin Center Sickle Cell Initiative Lupus and Overlapping Connective Tissue Disease - Dr. Kathleen O’Neil, chief, pediatric rheumatology, Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health Lupus and Pain Management - Dr. Steven Neucks, rheumatologist, board certified in pain medicine, Rehabilitation Associates of Indiana                  PURCHASE TICKETS   $20/person ticket includes continental breakfast, symposium materials, goody bag and lunch. Dr. Ralph Waldo - In the Loop Speaker              Value of Alternative Methods in Dealing with Chronic Disease Join us at In the Loop on Saturday to hear Ralph Waldo, M.D. graduated from Indiana University with degrees in biology and psychology, following which he received an M.S. in Physiology and Biophysics.  In 1999 he obtained his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. Serving as Chief Resident during his final year of residency, Dr. Waldo completed his training in Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Waldo became Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and practiced psychiatry for over four years at two major hospitals in Fort Wayne, where he incorporated molecular medicine and biochemistry into his practice.   Finding that working in a hospital or large physician group setting was not conducive to his form of practice, he started his own private practice in 2011 utilizing integrative, biochemical, genetic and functional medicine as the basis for his practice.   Dr. Waldo treats children, adolescents and adults using a multidisciplinary approach, including lab testing, to customize and more accurately guide treatment.  His emphasis is getting to a patient's core health issues in order to prevent, slow or stop disease progression. He customizes treatment based on each client's specific needs as determined through a patient's health history, lab work and other appropriate testing.  Dr. Waldo treats the root causes of diseases and has a strong rate of success in stopping disease progression, preventing diseases from occurring and/or curing them. Things To Do!     Statewide December Support Group Meetings Be a Joiner!   LFA, Indiana offers Gentle Yoga and Tai Chi classes for people with lupus and one caregiver or support person. The cost is free, but registration for your first class is required. Watch and Learn about the health benefits of Yoga. Sign up now. When: Yoga will meet on  the first Tuesday of each month in 2018.* Tai Chi will be the 4th Wednesday of each month in 2018. But will not meet in December 2017. Both Classes are from 6:30-7:30 pm. Where: IU North Hospital, 11700 N. Meridian Street, Carmel. Learning Centers A & B. SAVE THE DATE! We are looking forward to a New Year and a new calendar of events. This year A Tasteful Affair will be held in May, which is also Lupus Awareness Month. July will bring a new event for our Chapter, The Canine Catwalk, a doggie fashion show at the State Fairgrounds. The 2018 Walk to End Lupus Now, Indianapolis, is already scheduled for Saturday, September 29th. We'll have the website ready after the first of the year so you can start building your team early.     2018 Annual Fund Campaign Please remember LFA, Indiana Chapter during year-end giving. Your financial contributions are what sustain our organization, and without your support, we couldn't continue to support our lupus community. Donations can be made online at lupusindiana.com, or by check, to:Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter 9302 N. Meridian Street, Suite 203 Indianapolis, IN 46260  *Your donation is tax deductible.  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. For specific meetings/locations, click here. We are looking for volunteer committee members for an event in Northwest Indiana for 2018. Ideas are welcome, and help is needed. Since the Chicago Walk to End Lupus Now captured the hearts of many of our Crown Point walkers, we need a NEW EVENT! Chili cookoff? Beerfest? Holiday Craft Fair and silent auction? All that's needed to join is a CAN-DO attitude and a desire to help. Please email Lisa if you are interested in being on the Northwest Indiana Planning Committee. Meetings will begin in January. Online Support Group  5 Steps to Stay Healthy During Winter Our online support group is your opportunity to get support and guidance in the comfort of your own home.  The online support group meetings will be held the last Monday of each month from 7 - 8 pm. Because of Christmas, the next meeting will be Monday, December 18th. So climb into a comfy spot with your laptop the fourth Monday of each month, and surround yourself with people who care and understand what you're going through. Support is only a click away. To register or learn more click here Holiday card list drafted? Check. Small gifts purchased for the kids’ teachers? Check. Prevention plan to stay healthy this winter? Ch…wait, was that on my “to do” list? As you prepare for the holiday season and the cold winter months, be sure to consider what small steps you can take to try to prevent catching a cold or the flu. Here is a winter weather checklist aimed at staying healthy this season. 1. Get a flu shot. Flu shots are safe and do not increase lupus disease activity. People with lupus and those who live with a person with lupus should not use the FluMist® nasal spray because it contains a live form of the flu virus.  2. Wash your hands frequently. Many people underestimate the time it takes to clean their hands properly. You should scrub your hands with warm running water and soap for 15–30 seconds. Sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself twice while washing. And don’t forget to scrub your wrists, fingernails, and the backs of your hands. Continue reading here. Click the button below to become a Champion for Hope with your monthly gift of $10, $15, $25 or more to the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter and make a difference in the lives of those affected by lupus. Your support will help bring us one step closer to our vision of a life free from lupus. Answer:  Answer: Being a long-distance caregiver to someone who has lupus can result in some special challenges. An important part of effective caregiving depends on keeping information organized and up-to-date, so that you can always be prepared. For example, it is useful and suggested to have access to your loved one's personal, health, financial and legal records. Visit our Get Answers page to learn more. 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