Selena Gomez' Lupus Revelation is a Reminder of the Struggle and Triumph of Survivors

October 12, 2015

News Bulletin: CA Reforms "Fail First" Medicine

The Lupus Foundation of Northern California wishes to thank Gov. Jerry Brown for signing into law AB 374, a bill that will give patients access to critical care when their doctors deem it necessary without having to try insurance-company mandated cheaper treatment first. In its support statement, the LFNC Board of Directors noted that lupus takes years to diagnose, and patients do not have the luxury to lose more time.

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.

Marin Support Group Meeting: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015, AT 30 NO. SAN PEDRO RD., SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903. FROM 10:00-12:00. Contact: Marilyn Wedner, mwedner@att.net.

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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T-243. Only 243 Tickets Left (maybe less by the time you read this) to win a Brand New Mercedes

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Win a Mercedes CLA-250, or $25,000 in cash.

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When is the giveaway?

As soon as the 600th ticket is sold!

Selena Gomez' Lupus Story Speaks for Countless Survivors

Last week, news came that pop-star Selena Gomez has lupus, and has gone through chemotherapy for it. While the chemotherapy part got the most coverage, though, Gomez' story revealed the struggle of countless survivors on other fronts too.

Weight gain and loss induced by lupus and its treatment drugs: being a popstar, Gomez had more than her fair share of public shaming from weight gain. But it's an issue most lupus patients deal with on a regular basis, both the weight fluctuation and judgment from those in their social circles and out in public from those who simply have no idea what the survivors are going through.

Creating a trusted network of support: Anyone who has dealt with lupus for any significant period of time knows the importance of a support network of people they know and trust. Acknowledging such a network's key role, Gomez says friend Taylor Swift has been helping empower her.

Treatment: Chemotherapy is often thought of as a cancer-only treatment. While we wish no one the pain of having to go through this extreme step, Gomez' revelation that she has been through chemo because of her lupus draws attention to the seriousness of lupus as a disease.

Want to make a difference in the lives of those living with this disease by providing critical patient services? Make a donation to the LFNC.

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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