May is Lupus Awareness Month when we come together, with focused efforts here in Minnesota and across the country, to educate our friends, families and communities about lupus. Raising awareness is key to securing the research dollars needed to move us toward a cure. We know that a greater awareness of lupus and its effects will lead to earlier diagnoses, better treatment and improved quality of life for those living with lupus.
Read MoreInspiring a new generation of researchers; Student Summer Fellowships awarded
With spring representing a time of renewal and hope, it feels appropriate that spring is also when we announce the two recipients of our Student Research Fellowships. The summer opportunity aims to inspire and cultivate the next generation of researchers dedicated to the lupus cause.
Read MoreGive during May to DOUBLE your impact
Lupus Link Minnesota has received a $5,000 matching gift challenge from the Wasie Foundation. With your generosity during the month of May, your gift can have twice the impact on our organization and its mission to advance knowledge and mobilize resources to improve the lives of all Minnesotans and those beyond affected by lupus and related autoimmune diseases.
Read MoreExploring apps for your lupus toolkit
Since my lupus diagnosis five years ago, I have slowly built a toolkit to help me live with lupus … Fast and I recently started looking into medical, mobile apps, and how they could become part of my lupus toolkit (and maybe even get me to delete my spreadsheets). I picked two apps, Flaredown and Medisafe, to use for the past two months, and offer up the following review of each:
Read MoreTwo new members join the board
We are thrilled to announce the two latest additions to our Lupus Link Minnesota Board of Directors: Tom Peterson and Gwen Stanley. Both come with a personal connection to lupus and an extensive financial background.
Both new board members who joined the Lupus Link Board of Directors in January share a connection with Lupus Link Minnesota’s mission of advancing knowledge and mobilizing resources to improve the lives of Minnesotans affected by lupus and related autoimmune diseases. Learn more about Tracey Galowitz, attorney at Galowitz Olson Law, PLLC, and Cindy Chang, registered nurse and RN referral coordinator for the Minneapolis VA Medical Center's Community Care Service Line.
Read MoreLooking to solve ALL the lupus puzzles
At the Renaissance Festival last fall, my family tried an escape room for the first time. If you’re not familiar with the concept, these are themed rooms filled with challenges – usually a variety of puzzles or riddles – that need to be solved within a certain amount of time in order for the participants to unlock the room and escape …
Read MoreGrant to provide “Living with Lupus” educational programs
Supported by CentraCare Health Foundation, Lupus Link Minnesota will develop “Living with Lupus” programming to educate and support individuals affected by lupus and related autoimmune diseases, and promote awareness and understanding of lupus and its impact on the broader community.
Read MoreThoughts from Tharan: Is Spring here? In due time, just like other things!
I find myself at times wanting it to be Spring. Do you? When you live in Minnesota who wouldn’t, right? When I see the sun peeking out over the cloud-laden skies in March, it’s almost as if Spring and Summer are teasing you. And yet I know there are many individuals who love winter and all the activities it has to offer from cross country skiing to snowmobiling. Many who are likely sad to see winter leave … including my son who can’t get enough ice fishing time!
Read MoreLupus Link Minnesota welcomes two new board members
Both new board members who joined the Lupus Link Board of Directors in January share a connection with Lupus Link Minnesota’s mission of advancing knowledge and mobilizing resources to improve the lives of Minnesotans affected by lupus and related autoimmune diseases. Learn more about Tracey Galowitz, attorney at Galowitz Olson Law, PLLC, and Cindy Chang, registered nurse and RN referral coordinator for the Minneapolis VA Medical Center's Community Care Service Line.
Read MoreLupus Link Minnesota awards lupus research grants to University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic
The Lupus Link Minnesota Board of Directors announces grants to fund lupus research at the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic. As an independent nonprofit organization, Lupus Link Minnesota funds research and researchers to find a cure and more effective treatments for people living with lupus.
A total of $70,000 has been awarded to projects by two Minnesota-based researchers in order to pursue these efforts. Those scientists and their projects are described below:
Read MoreWelcoming new board members
If you were at The Great (Point) 8K you might have had the chance to meet Lupus Link Minnesota’s newest board member, Christopher Dunn, and his wife, Kejal. Making their way to Minnesota from sunny Atlanta, Dunn is a Client Account Executive at ADP. He is passionate about the work of nonprofit organizations and has boundless enthusiasm for serving on the Board of Directors and connecting with the lupus and related autoimmune disease community ...
Read MoreTharan's Thoughts: Grateful for where we’re at, excited about where we’re going
It’s that time of the year when society collectively turns to an attitude of gratitude. It might not be present everywhere, but it definitely has me reflecting on what we have at Lupus Link Minnesota. As much as I know this attitude should be present all year long, we’re often working toward the things we don’t have.
Read MoreQuestioning immunizations with lupus
Many people with lupus question having immunizations, thinking it may cause a flare. Here Paul Sufka, M.D., addresses those concerns:
The decision to receive any medical intervention should come down to evaluation of the potential risks and benefits.
Linked via the Board: Conversations about lupus
“Maybe stories are just data with a soul.”
― Brené Brown
I’m a very data-driven person. I love numbers, charts, Excel spreadsheets, and cool data visualizations. Having spent 17 years of my life engaged in lupus research, I’ve given many talks about lupus over the years. Most of these talks were vehicles for sharing data. My PowerPoint slides would be filled with tables, charts, figures, and whatever fancy, new-fangled, hyper-colored method I was using at the time to try to display my latest complex dataset. Swimming in the depths of numbers and data patterns is my idea of professional bliss.
Read MoreAdvancing lupus research, thanks to the next generation
Last month, Lupus Link Minnesota visited the Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota to hear our 2017 student research fellows’ final presentations. Each provided proof that this next generation is dedicated to furthering lupus research, hopefully for the next breakthrough. Watch them recount their experiences and ...
Read MoreTharan's Thoughts: Embracing the familiarity of fall
With the passing of Labor Day, life as we know it goes back to “normal:” kids go back to school, Minnesota State Fairgoers (attempt to) return to healthier eating habits, and summer vacations become cherished memories. With this bittersweet transition, however, we also regain familiarity and routine.
For us at Lupus Link Minnesota, ...
Read MoreWhat does it mean? Here’s the story behind Lupus Link Minnesota’s logo
To create a brand identity that would embody the mission and work we do, we worked with the team at Saint Paul Media and they delivered a design that captured our work, voice, and will serve us for many years to come.
Read MoreName Lupus Link Minnesota as a charity of choice through your employer's workplace giving program
If your employer offers a workplace giving program or campaign, consider directing a portion of your earnings directly to Lupus Link Minnesota. Your generous payroll deduction or campaign contribution, like other gifts to our organization, supports lupus research, education and awareness efforts, and support to those living with lupus and related autoimmune diseases.
Read MoreAnnouncing The Great (Point) 8K
It’s simple really. Just .8 K. See the point? We’re not talking eight kilometers, but just a fraction of one. In miles, it’s just shy of a half of a mile. Regardless, you’ll be going the distance for lupus awareness and in support of our work here in Minnesota. Join us at The Great (Point) 8K on Saturday, October 14 at the beautiful Central Park in Maple Grove. Secure your registration today.
Read MoreExperience the next generation of lupus researchers
Our Student Research Fellowship Program aims to inspire the next generation of researchers dedicated to the lupus cause. This year, five undergraduate students were awarded summer fellowships, totaling approximately $22,500 in research funding. As the summer draws to a close, so does their experience.
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