February 9, 2015

LFNC News

DROP YOUR PIN ON THE WOLD LUPUS GOOGLE MAP

Find out how to put yourself on the map!

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In the Black: Read LFNC's Annual Report for FY 2014, highlighting a financial comeback, new programs, and low administrative overhead.

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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Editor: Spandan Chakrabarti

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Lower-than-Standard Dose of Prednisone Found to be Just as Effective with Fewer Side Effects

A small study in Spain is raising hopes that Lupus Nephritis patients can be treated with a dosage of the corticosteroid Prednisone that is less than half the current standard and still be just as effective with few or no side effects.

Although Prednisone is a key drug in the treatment of lupus, the steroid often causes severe side effects from bone loss to cardiovascular disease. The Lupus Research Institute reports:

LN is typically treated with a combination of immunosuppressants and high-dose prednisone (50-60 mg a day). But the cost of remission over time at that dose is often bone loss, osteonecrosis, cataracts, and cardiovascular disease.

However, researchers at the BioCruces Health Research Institute in Spain report that half or even less than half that amount of prednisone produced complete or partial remission in a majority of patients in as quickly as six months, with few or no side effects.

The new regimen, which they call the "Cruces Protocol," consists of starting doses of 15-30 mg/day given with pulses of methyl-prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, and cyclophosphamide, rapidly tapering the prednisone to a maintenance dose of 2.5-5 mg/day within 16 weeks, and maintaining azathioprine and/or mycophenolate mofetil for up to two years.

You may read more about the study here. While this study is a bright ray of hope, LFNC would like to remind readers that we provide these updates for information purposes only. If you would like to seek a change to your prescription regimen or dosage, please consult your rheumatologist or treating physician.

Drumbeat to a Lupus Cure: The 21st Annual Run & Walk for Lupus - Sunday, June 14, 2015

Northern California's largest annual lupus awareness is only months away. Online registration has opened for the 21st Annual Run & Walk for Lupus, with the theme "Drumbeat to a Lupus Cure." The annual event will be held on Sunday, June 14, at the West Valley College campus in Saratoga.

We are going out in a big way to make northern California notice the lupus community, and we need you to join us. We need you to register yourself to run or walk, and spread the message to everyone you know. Even form a team! We also invite you to get involved in raising funds - the Run & Walk is the Lupus Foundation's largest fundraising event, and every penny raised is invested in the northern California lupus community to provide the patient-centered services, programs and research support that are so critical to bridging the gap between life with and life without lupus.

Remember, there are prizes not only for runners in each age and gender category, but also for the largest and biggest fundraising teams!

Please head over to 5K.LFNC.ORG now to register, raise funds online, and invite your friends. You may also want to download this booklet for full details.

THE MASCOT CONTEST

What is the mascot contest? For the past 3 years, you have voted to choose the most adorable puppy with the privilege to be our mascot and lead the walkers at the 5K. KC Remley, pictured right, won the contest last year. Who will it be this year? It's totally up to you!

Have a man's best friend you want to enter this year? Just email communications@lfnc.org with a recent photo, owner info (name, address, phone), breed, sex, and age.

So how do you vote? Once we have contestants, voting will commence online at LFNC.org. Each vote is $1, and you and your friends can vote as many times as you like!

If you are still reading this email, there's a good chance you haven't registered yet. Please go and do it now and come join in all the fun for a great cause!