May 4, 2015

Register Now for the 5K

Registration is now OPEN for 21st Annual Run & Walk for Lupus. Register, form a team, raise money, or come check out the mascot contest! Click here.

NEW: You can give a gift of registration for someone who can't afford to register!

LFNC's Mid-Year Online Auction is LIVE: Bid and Win While Helping Fund Lupus Programs

This is LFNC's first mid-year auction, but that doesn't mean we are novices at this. The mid-year auction has items ranging from the lupus pin to a hot air balloon ride, from movie tickets to VIP access to Hollywood and everything in between. The auction kicked off on Wednesday, April 15, and you can view it here.

While you are deciding on what to bid on, keep in mind that the proceeds from these sales will go directly to funding LFNC's programs focused on the northern California lupus community.

Annual Charity Car Drawing

Now that the early birds have flown, the race is on for the brand new 2015 Mercedes. You can support a great cause and have a chance to drive away in style! All instructions to enter and purchase tickets are available here. Tickets may not be purchased online. Each ticket is $75, or you may purchase 3 tickets for $200 or 5 for $300. The drawing will be Sunday, June 14 on the site of our 5K.

Don't wait, enter now! If you have any questions or wish to enter by phone, please feel free to call us at 408-954-8600.

Information contained in this e-Newsletter should not be considered a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment or management of S.L.E. and symptoms by a physician.

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Editor: Spandan Chakrabarti

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Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Disease Activity in SLE

A new study led by researchers at Monash University in Australia has found a strong link between vitamin D levels in a patient and their SLE activity. Correlating both ways, the study shows increased disease activity in patients with low levels of vitamin D, and lower disease activity in patients with higher levels.

Published earlier this month in Lupus Science & Medicine, lead researcher Dr Kristy Yap, from the Centre for Inflammatory Diseases in the School of Clinical Sciences reported her findings in the first study to examine systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease in the Southern Hemisphere. [...]

The longitudinal study examined the disease activity and vitamin D levels of lupus patients who attended the Monash Medical Centre Lupus Clinic between 2007 and 2013.

More about the study can be found here.

Vitamin D deficiency has been previously linked to lupus, and not surprisingly given the sun-sensitivity that is nearly universal among lupus patients as exposure to the sun is a primary way the body makes vitamin D. But vitamin D can also be found in foods like fatty fish, tofu, fortified cereals and dairy products. A list of foods rich in vitamin D is available here. Vitamin D can also be taken in the form of a dietary supplement.

Although there are many sources of vitamin D, we remind you that we present these resources for information purposes only, and that any change to your diet, sun exposure, or supplements should only be made in consultation with your treating physician.

Learn About Lupus Research, Integrative Health, and Coping with Lupus this Month

If you are looking to expand your knowledge about lupus, we present to you two upcoming opportunities this month.

LFNC Semi-Annual Mini-Conference:

Saturday, May 23, 2015

11 am to 4 pm

Kaiser Santa Clara

Click here to learn more and register

The LFNC is proud to present the 2015 Spring Lupus Mini-Conference with the theme of integrative health. Dr. Barry Shibuya and Dr. Christine Elias of the Northern California Rheumatology Society will headline the conference. Key facts and research updates on lupus and how they tie into an integrative, scientific approach to lupus treatment will be the focus of the conference.

Dr. Laura Stuve, PhD, a molecular biologist and Momo Yasutake of BodyTalk will expand on the integrative health approach to immune functions of the body and share patient experiences.

Designed for patients, families and medical professionals alike, the LFNC offers CEU credits to California Registered Nurses attending the conference. Please indicate during registration if you wish to attend for credit.

Registration fees: $50 for credit attendees, $30 for non-credit attendees. Current LFNC members receive a $10 discount on either registration. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

Coping with Lupus: A webinar

With Sarah S. Goozee, Ph.D.

Thursday, May 28, 1-2 pm (Pacific Time)

Click HERE for more information and to register.

People with lupus have a 50% chance of developing some form of psychological distress either from the disease itself or the effects of treatment and living with a chronic illness. Licensed clinical psychologist and LFNC Board member Sarah S. Gooze�, Ph.D. will talk about the types of mood disorders people with lupus face and how they can be treated. She will speak about how to cultivate resilience through self-care techniques. Presented by SLE Lupus Foundation.