By: Lavita Williams What type of lupus do you have?SLE When were you diagnosed with lupus?2009 How long did it take for a correct diagnosis?13yrs Were you misdiagnosed first?Yes, for several years. How has your life changed since your diagnosis?My life took a huge dive in a negative way. I lost my job, and friends. I couldn’t work at my church and volunteer like I used to. I had little to no energy. My income changed drastically. How has your diagnosis affected your family and friends?Being diagnosed with lupus does have a big change on your family, And your friends. I lost most of my friends ..read more

BY MADELINE HANDLEY Madeline Handley is a third-year Molecular Biology student at Colgate University, who has learned how to navigate a college environment whilst managing lupus. Madeline was diagnosed with lupus in middle school. She is sharing her experiences in a series of articles to benefit others in the lupus community. My transition to high school went smoothly for me, and I eased into a routine packed with academics, athletics, music, and friends. I involved myself in activities such as cross country, the orchestra, and learning sign language, balancing these with the higher standards ..read more

BY MADELINE HANDLEY Madeline Handley is a third-year Molecular Biology student at Colgate University, who has learned how to navigate a college environment whilst managing lupus. Madeline was diagnosed with lupus in middle school. She is sharing her experiences in a series of articles to benefit others in the lupus community. Middle school is defined, for many, by transitions; I was surely no exception to this. My time during those three years included reluctant visits to my orthodontist, hours spent after school on a lacrosse field, and stressing over drama with friends and crushes, all while ..read more

Team Jackie’s Angels Uses Walk to Keep Loved One’s Battle Alive at The Annual Western Suburbs Illinois Lupus Walk CHICAGO, IL, August – Team Jackie co-captains Elsa Bueno and Eddie Silva are this year’s Western Suburbs Lupus Walk Ambassadors. “Elsa and Eddie are outstanding Ambassadors,” says Mary Dollear President of the Lupus Society of Illinois. “Lupus impacts individuals and their families. Thanks to Elsa and Eddie sharing their powerful story, many more families will understand what lupus is and how they can find help.” Jacqueline (Jackie) Silva was diagnosed with lupus in 1996 at age 15 ..read more

By Irene Blanco, MD, MS Professor of Medicine-Rheumatology co-Director of the Clinical Research Ethics & Equity Consultative Service (CREEC) Lupus can have long-term consequences on patients’ lives as it typically affects people when they are younger and in what are their most productive years work- and school-wise. This can then affect how long a patient goes to school or work and if they can work full-time or part-time, if at all. Therefore, lupus has a major impact on a patient’s career and earning potential. While there are multiple reasons for a lupus patient to face physical challeng ..read more

By Dr. Robert Katz, LSI Board Chair and LSI Medical Advisory Board Chair (CAR T-cell therapy, typically used in cancer treatment, is a form of immunotherapy. In CAR T-cell therapy, blood is taken from a person, T cells, a type of immune system cell, are collected. T-cells travel around the body to target and destroy cells that are defective. CAR T-cell therapy cells are taken from an individual’s blood, modified in a lab to target a defective cell and then put back into a person through an infusion.) The researchers looked at CAR-T treatment, which is chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Patient ..read more

By Dr. Robert Katz, Chair Lupus Society of Illinois Board of Directors and Medical Advisory Board The holidays can increase anxiety and depression in many people. We thought an article highlighting what we know about lupus, anxiety and depression would be helpful this time of year. In a study on anxiety and depression in lupus, Liao and others in the journal BMC Psychiatry (2022), found that among 325 patients with lupus involved in the study, patients with depression or anxiety have significantly higher lupus activity and more frequent musculoskeletal and neuropsychiatric symptoms. In additio ..read more

Paper Reviewed by Dr Andrew R Benck and Dr Dmitriy Cherny (Rush Lupus Clinic) The causes of lupus are complex, but it is known that a type of immune cell called a B-Cell, is thought to play a central role in lupus. For some patients, existing treatments are not able to control their disease, leading to devastating consequences. These patients are said to have “refractory lupus.” In these cases, experimental treatments are sometimes given. One such treatment is CAR T therapy (1). The CAR T stands for ..read more

By Dr. Robert Katz, Chair Lupus Society of Illinois Board of Directors and Medical Advisory Board A diagnosis of lupus can be difficult due to the gradual development of symptoms. Suspected cases must be confirmed by a series of blood tests such as anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies and anti-Smith antibodies. Levels of certain complement proteins, which are part of the immune system, are measured and help to track the disease. Low complements tend to suggest the presence of lupus and increased lupus disease activity. Doctors sometimes use the 1997 American College of Rheumatology criteria for ..read more

Mari Gonzalez has lived with lupus since 2012 – she Walks for Lupus to raise awareness and funds to help others CHICAGO, IL, September – Mari Gonzalez is named the Ambassador for the 2022 Chicago Lupus Walk. She was chosen due to her outstanding commitment to the lupus community. Mari Gonzalez was diagnosed in 2012 and her life has never been the same. Due to lupus and its side effects, the single mom had to quit a job she loved and fell into a depression. “I began seeing a counselor because I felt worthless,” says Mari. “I didn’t have a purpose since I couldn’t use my education that I worked ..read more