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Understanding the Health Insurance Needs of Lupus-affected Californians
Under the Affordable Care Act, California's state health insurance marketplace, Covered California, is now in its third year. In order to assist in our advocacy goals, we are looking to better understand how our patients gain coverage. Please help us by completing the following anonymous survey.
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Make the Lupus Buddy Program Catch Fire
The Lupus Buddy Program - the first of its kind in lupus - is not even a month old (we launched it on July 15), and we already have almost 50 people signed up! Now that's something.
The interest in the program launched by the LFNC working with a volunteer coordinator tells us how valuable patients are finding it - not just in northern California but across the country. And although we couldn't be happier to see it take off among patients, one thing is holding us back from much broader outreach, recruitment and expansion: Funding.
You can solve that problem. Give just $25 (more if you can), then share our funding page with all your friends on your social networks. Donate now.
We started with a small seed funding from GSK, but we need to raise $10,000 more to help lupus patients from sea to shining sea. Why? We need time from program coordinators to match the patients, for orientation, for follow-up, for helping each pair of buddies at every stage. Give now, share and make it catch fire.
If you are a patient interested in the program, learn more, and sign up here. A program coordinator will be in touch with you. Any personal and medical information necessary to make the matches are treated with the highest degree of confidentiality. |
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Coming Up at LFNC
LUPUS CONFERENCE WITH CEU CREDIT FOR RNs: Our Fall Lupus Mini-Conference will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Stockton. Fees: Credit attendees $50, all others $30; $10 discount for LFNC members. No one turned away for lack of funds, but registration is required. See details and register here.
Bakesfield Support Group Meeting: New Support Group has formed in Bakesfield and first meeting is on Thursday, Oct 6, at 6:30 pm. Location: Valley Baptist Church at 4800 Fruitvale Ave, Bakersfield, Calif. Contact: Linda Kreick, (661) 331-6379.
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You are receiving this newsletter because you have subscribed or have participated in our programs or events. We respect your time and privacy. If you prefer not to continue receiving the newsletter, you can click on the "safe unsubscribe" button below. We hope, however, that you will opt to remain on our newsletter list for important information and life-saving tips that you or someone you know may benefit from now or in the future.
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1 in 4 Lupus Patients with Neurological Involvement Have Suicidal Thoughts: Study
We all know that lupus can affect any organ in our bodies. Just like our understanding of the organs themselves, neurological involvement in lupus is the least understood. So it is both with hope that new research is advancing in this field and concern for those affected that we present the following: researchers in Poland have found that an alarming 1 in 4 lupus patients with neurological involvement experience suicidal thoughts.
About a quarter of patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) have suicidal thoughts and a sense of hopelessness, according to a new study. [...]
The more of these [neurological] symptoms patients experience, and the more burdensome and threatening the perception of the symptoms, the higher the probability of the sense of suicidal ideation and hopelessness, the study suggested.
The study also seems to indicate that the probability of suicidal thoughts may be related to what is known as lupus fog, that is, the temporary cognitive, memory and language difficulties caused by lupus affecting the brain.
The study doesn't merely confirm lupus' potentially deadly effect to patients' brains but highlights the critical need for treating mental health in parity and in conjunction with physical health. The Lupus Foundation presents the study as an informative article and encourages patients to regularly discuss their physical as well as psychological health with their doctors.
If you or a family member is in immediate danger from the possibility of suicide, please call the Santa Clara County Suicide Crisis hotline at 855-278-4204, or find your county's suicide hotline here.
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Tick, Tock - Get Your Mercedes Drawing Ticket Before Time Runs Out!
One great cause. One beauty of a sedan.
600 tickets total will be sold, and we're a bit more than half way through!
Win a Mercedes CLA-250, or $25,000 in cash.
Want it? Get in fast before all 600 tickets sell out!
Tickets: $75 per entry. $200 for three (3) or $300 for five (5)
Call us at (408) 954-8600 for the fastest way to buy your tickets or complete this form and mail or fax it to us. Remember, the more tickets you buy, the better your chances!
When is the giveaway?
As soon as the 600th ticket is sold!
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LFNC is an active partner in
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