Lupus Foundation of Northern California

September 2, 2014

LFNC News

DROP YOUR PIN ON THE WOLD LUPUS GOOGLE MAP

Find out how to put yourself on the map!

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MARIN SUPPORT GROUP

September Meeting

We will meet on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014 FROM 10:00-12:00, AT 30 N. SAN PEDRO RD., SAN RAFAEL, CA, 94901. Speaker: Mary Ray, co-founder of My Health Teams. My Health Teams has created a social network for people living with Lupus. Mary will speak about the free network.

Contact: Marilyn Wedner, mwedner@att.net, 415-383-1924.

REVIEW US!

In the last three years, LFNC has been honored with the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Award, based on feedback from clients, volunteers and supporters who gave favorable reviews regarding their experience with the organization.

Please help us achieve this honor again this year by answering a few questions on the review site for LFNC. Clicking HERE will take you to the review site. It just takes a few minutes. We thank you in advance!

The Summer NewSLEtter is Here!

Ready to read it already? Click here for the online magazine format, or here to download a printable version (PDF).

The Summer 2014 issue, headlined "The Heart of Lupus", features articles ranging in subject from cardiovascular disease in lupus to exciting new lupus drug trials to a detailed discussion of the immune system and updates on LFNC's activities.

It was Colleen and Joe Brown this year. Will it be you next year?

Check out Colleen Brown, Joe, and daughter Kira picking up their brand new Mercedes!

Colleen and Joe have supported the Lupus Foundation for the past 15 years.

Do you want to join the Browns in the list of our winners? Because we know you do, we have opened up next year's drawing early, and you can already buy tickets!

Click here to see the announcement and buy your tickets now!

The tickets are only $75, but you can get three (3) for $200 and five (5) for $300. Buy early, and you will be eligible for two incredible early bird prizes - a shopping spree and a cruise - in addition to the 2015 Mercedes!

To buy your tickets, fill out the form, or call the office at 408-954-8600. And keep your lucky charm bracelet handy!

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Wanna Know What Makes it All Worth It? A Community Full of People Like Rick.

Rick Worth takes the ice bucket challenge, for Lupus.

"Is working for lupus depressing?" I get asked all the time. My answer has always been, "quite the opposite." That's not because lupus isn't a difficult disease; it's not because it's not difficult to watch what it takes away. It's because as part of the Lupus Foundation of Northern California, I get to see courage every day - the courage of patients surviving and thriving, the courage of families and friends coming together to support the cause of beating lupus.

Rick Worth, whose wife passed away seven months ago from lupus and cancer, took the ice bucket challenge. With the slogan #OnMyTerms, Rick Wrote a check to the LFNC. It's acts of kindness like Rick's that keep us going. Thank you, Rick.

In Rick's own words, "There are so many needs and not nearly enough resources. If you can only give $1.00, give $1.00." Join Rick and take the challenge on your own terms here.

Neurological Effects of Lupus Can Delay Diagnosis

Highlighting yet again the complications and difficulties involved in diagnosing lupus, researchers from a new study noted last month that neurological effects of lupus and other rheumatoid diseases themselves may lead doctors away from correctly diagnosing the disease. In addition, the treatments for lupus and other rheumatic diseases can cause neurological symptoms, complicating the issue even further.

Lupus and other rheumatic diseases can cause neurological symptoms such as headaches and seizures, which can delay a correct diagnosis for months, a new report says.

Treatments for rheumatic diseases can also cause these types of symptoms, according to neurologists at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill. Rheumatic disorders include autoimmune and inflammatory diseases of the joints and soft tissues, such as lupus, systemic vasculitis and ankylosing spondylitis. [...]

The researchers noted that more than half of lupus patients suffer headaches, and one-third have migraines. Up to 20 percent have seizures, one-third have reduced thinking abilities, and one in five may experience a mood disorder. Some lupus patients also develop symptoms such as paranoia and hearing voices, symptoms that can be confused with schizophrenia.

It comes as no surprise to the lupus community that lupus can often present issues ranging from migraines to seizures to even strokes. But because there is no one test to diagnose lupus, researchers noted, physicians need to be familiar with the neurological challenges and symptoms lupus can present as well as with the possible effects of medication in order to quickly and correctly diagnose patients and provide them with proper treatment.