KIM Mair, chair of the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) — the coordinating body for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) serving in Jamaica — said that technology and data should be used to develop interventions to aid vulnerable groups, including those affected by lupus. Click the link below to read the article.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/cvss-advocates-for-proper-data-on-lupus

A call is being made for technology and data to be used to develop interventions to aid vulnerable groups across Jamaica, including those affected by lupus. 

Click the link below to read the article. 

https://our.today/cvss-urges-use-of-technology-data-in-developing-interventions-for-persons-with-lupus/

CVSS lobbies for use of data, and technology to develop lupus intervention. Click the link below to read the article. 

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20221012/cvss-lobbies-use-data-technology-develop-lupus-intervention

Check out this article by the Jamaica Gleaner highlighting why you need to know more about Lupus.

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/health/20221012/heres-why-you-should-know-more-about-lupus

Help us "Fun"-Raise! Lupus Awareness Month continues with our annual family friendly fundraising lapathon LAPS FOR LUPUS AWARENESS next Sunday October 16, 2022, 5 - 8 pm at Emancipation Park. Let's show up in our numbers to to show our support and enjoy free workouts, music, health demonstrations, games, sponsored prizes and entertainment, all for a great cause.

Proceeds towards our warrior welfare fund. REGISTER OR DONATE online with this link: https://lupusfoundationofjamaica.wildapricot.org/event-4979206

Then SHARE THIS LINK or Pick up your own LAPATHON SHEET to sign up family, friends and co-workers. Let's support our warriors!

Click here to register for the event

Hi, I am Dr Susan Manzi, I am a Lupus doctor and Medical Director of Lupus Foundation of America.

Do you have questions about lupus?

I will be joining Lupus Foundation of Jamaica for a special edition of Ask the Expert Live. No question is off limits.

Send us all your questions and join me live on Wednesday October 5 at 6 pm Jamaica time to hear your questions answered.

Send your questions:

• Whatsapp - 8767783892 
• Email Us - Info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org

BENEFIT PERFORMANCE FOR LUPUS FOUNDATION OF JAMAICA Sunday July 31, 2021

Photo Mikael Reckford, Jamaica Gleaner

Finally, theatres are open again!  Relax with family and help raise funds to support LFJ Programmes and Services – at the same time!  

GET YOUR TICKETS early for a Benefit Performance of Basil Dawkins' highly acclaimed comedy "Hide Your Husband" on Sunday July 31, 2022 at 5pm at the Little Theatre, Kingston.

Tickets are being sold for $2000 each and are available at 7 Barbados Avenue or from our Board members (Payment on delivery required!)

As the health and safety of our patrons is a priority for us, we note that the venue is accessible, seating will be socially distanced at 70% capacity and masks will be required.

For more information, contact 8767548458, 8767783892 (WhatsApp) or info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org. 

Read more about the popular play in this Gleaner Review: https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20220516/hide-your-husband-amusing-escapist-comedy

Thank you for your support!

On Thursday June 16, LFJ members and friends gathered online for their monthly Support Group Meeting, organised and facilitated by members of the LFJ Services Committee including Board Members Joel Holding (Director of Services) Joel Holding and Sybil McLean.  A strong showing joined in via Zoom and welcomed guest presenter Mr Samuel McDermott, Counselling Psychologist covering the topic “Managing Stress”, selected by popular demand.  Mr McDermott shared insights on good stress and bad stress as well as different phases of stress 1. Acute phase 2. Reaction phase 3. Repair phase 4. Reorientation phase, as well as various responses to stress model and tips on how to cope with stress. He gave examples of how to develop resilience, such as:

Mr Samuel McDermott, Counselling Psychologist

1. Make connections (good relationships)

2. Be active in social and civic groups (assisting others)

3. Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems

4. Accept that change is a part of living

5. Move towards your goals

6. Look for opportunities for self-discovery (stress helps you to discover the inner you)

7. Nurture a positive view of yourself

8. Keep things in perspective

9. Maintain a healthy outlook

10. Take care of yourself.

In addition to questions and answers and sharing, attendees interacted with new and regular attendees and had opportunities to hear updates on membership benefits and upcoming events, make suggestions, sign up for membership and volunteer. 

The Lupus Foundation holds its general support group meeting on the third Thursday of every other month commencing at 6:30 p.m, while the Lupus Support Group Western JA meets on the last Wednesday of every other month at 6:00 pm.  Since restrictions of Covid-19, the groups have been meeting online via Zoom link, with limited accommodation for in-person attendance on special request.

Specialists are invited to explain various aspects of the disease as well as coping strategies living with a chronic illness at these monthly meetings. 

YOUNG LUPUS WARRIORS AND BUSINESS OWNERS FUNDRAISE FOR LFJ

The Month of May saw an inspiring trend of young persons and business owners using their skills and resources to support the work of Lupus Foundation of Jamaica.

Georgia Johnson a lupus warrior, LFJ volunteer and part of the team planning for World Lupus Day 2022, is a Baker by profession, and decided to make her added contribution by baking specially designed ribbon-shaped sugar cookies to raise awareness and funds in support of the Effort. 

Danyelle Pike, aesthetician and owner of Lev’s Beauty Bar, who is also a Lupus Warrior, invited other business owners to support LFJ with a portion of their earnings during the Month of May through her Paint May Purple Initiative. 

Miss Pike accompanied Colleagues Timothy South, Shaquille Blake and Jason McDowell, executive directors of OSA Saturday’s on a visit to LFJ Help Centre on June 7 to hand over the donation of $67,000 JMD.  Timothy South had this to say on behalf of the Team: “We decided to make a donation towards the Paint May Purple Initiative to empower other lupus warriors and to just add some value to the lupus community with this donation.  For us it was a no-brainer because we’ve all had lives that were affected by lupus.”

Danyelle Pike (centre) of Lev's Beauty Bar is flanked by (from L) Shaquille Blake, Jason McDowell and Timothy South of OSA Saturdays as they get ready to present their donation to Board members of the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica Dr Desiree Tulloch-Reid and Mr Joel Holding (R).

Kristopher Thompson of 658 Series was soon to follow with their own donation of $100,000 on June 13.  “Miss Danyelle Pike had reached out to us from the 658 Series Team last month and had asked if we would be interested in supporting the Lupus Foundation.   We decided that we would make a $100,000 donation towards the Foundation.

“We know medication and treatment is quite expensive and in Jamaica we have one of the highest rates of persons affected by Lupus. It is our intent and hope that this donation will help ease the pain/burden for at least one individual fighting through the challenges that may come with this illness.”

Pike explained that this is her second staging of the Paint May Purple fundraising initiative.  “I just wanted to bring on some younger business owners, to get them involved as well, in not only the Foundation but the movement itself – to get persons talking about it and raising as much awareness as I can;  so any way I can help I am happy to do so. "

Miss Pike gave her own commendation of the work of the Foundation:  “Thank you all for all that you do because it’s a lot -  Just in terms of medication, finding doctors, dealing with the symptoms and all of those things - It’s not easy so you guys are doing a lot and I’m grateful for that. 

“I like helping people and know how hard it is living with lupus – and if people are trying to help the community then I am more than happy to help in any way I can.”