Lupus Society of Alberta

For the LSA, the grace, flexibility, and complexity of the willow tree have come to represent the qualities people develop as they meet the challenges posed by lupus.

Just thinking about the beauty and endurance of the willow - bending but not breaking in the face of strong winds - can be an empowering image for those whose lives are affected by lupus.

The Faces of Lupus

The faces of lupus ....

Lupus is called 'the disease with a thousand faces' because the symptoms and course of the disease differ so much from person to person. Lupus affects people of all ages, genders and ethnic backgrounds.

Any face could be the face of lupus.

Click here to take part in a 'Faces of Lupus' book project.

LSA is a member of Imagine Canada and participates in Imagine Canada's Ethical Code Program

Imagine Canada is a group that supports charities and nonprofits so they can, in turn, support the Canadians and communities they serve. Imagine Canada's Ethical Code Program sets standards for charitable organizations to manage and report their financial affairs responsibly. This is important because, as a donor, you are entitled to transparency and the greatest impact possible for your donation.

LSA NEWSLETTER
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Our newsletter, the 'Lupus Courier', is a quarterly publication sent by email or mail, which ever you prefer, to all current members of the LSA. The purpose of this newsletter is to:

Articles published in the Lupus Courier are written by medical professionals, social workers, and other experts in their field. As well as homegrown content, the Courier also re-publishes specially selected articles from lupus organizations around the world.

Don't miss out! - to receive the latest issue of the Lupus Courier, become a LSA member today.

2011
Fall 2011 topics include:

  • News in Lupus Research
  • Novel Drug Candidate May Block Lupus' Attack on the Brain
  • Headache in Connective Tissue Disease and Vasculitis
  • 11th Annual National Report Card on Health Care
  • Vaccine Facts (Influenza 2011-2012)
  • 'Step Out For Lupus Calgary' - Pledge Package Winners / Events Update
  • Notices / Health Canada Advisory
Summer 2011 topics include:

  • Serious Conditions Associated With Lupus
  • Ian Watson Award Recipient - Dr. Brandusa Florica
  • 'Step Out For Lupus' - Calgary 2011
  • University of Alberta Lupus Clinic
  • Lupus Research in the Pediatric Clinic at BC’s Children’s Hospital
  • Health Canada: Cautionary Notice Regarding Severe Wheat Allergies
  • Government of Alberta: Coverage For Medically Necessary Eye Care
Spring 2011 topics include:

  • Can Yoga Be of Benefit to Lupus Sufferers?
  • New Combination of Antibodies May Better Predict Childhood Neuropsychiatric Lupus
  • Failed Autoimmune Suppression Mechanism - New Clue to Lupus
  • International Consensus for a Definition of Disease Flare in Lupus
  • Pain Management Through Exercise
  • Government of Canada Takes Further Action to Protect Canadians Under the Chemicals Management Plan
  • Alberta Provincial Stroke Strategy
2010
Spring 2010 topics include:

  • Benlysta - Phase 3 Trial results
  • Ian Watson Award Recipient - Dr. Amanda Steiman
  • 'Step Out For Lupus' - Calgary 2010
  • Cellcept reaches positive results in Phase 3 Trial in lupus nephritis
  • Opioid Pain Medications
Summer 2010 topics include:

  • 9th World Lupus Congress - Heart Risk; Take Your Antimalarials; Increased Risk of Osteoporosis; Increased Risk of Certain Cancers; Medications Used for Lupus Nephritis: Pediatric Lupus; First Nations Experience With Lupus; The Asian Experience With SLE in Canada; Pregnancy and Lupus
  • Bonnyville 'Step Out For Lupus' 2010
  • An Exploration of Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Treatment in Lupus
Fall 2010 topics include:

  • U.S. Food and Drug administrator recommends approval of Benlysta as a treatment for lupus
  • Lupus Research Institute study points to increased risk of lupus in men
  • 'Step Out For Lupus' 2010 - Lethbridge and Edmonton
  • Vitamin D and Calcium - Updated Dietary Reference Intakes
  • New Clinical Test to Predict Lupus Flares Moves Closer to Market
  • Safety Review of Bisphosphonate Drugs and the Possible Risk of Rare but Serious Thigh Bone Fractures
Winter 2010 topics include:

  • Serotonin and Bone Mass Inversely Linked in Women
  • Immunosuppresants Render Flu Vaccine Less Effective in Some People With Lupus - May Need a Second Shot
  • What People With Lupus Need to Know About Osteoporosis
  • Health Canada Warning About Weight Loss Aids - 'Slimming Coffee'
  • Albertans to Benefit From Reduced Prices for Existing Generic Drugs
2009
Spring 2009 topics include:

  • The Future Directions of Lupus Research (6th Installment) - Diagnosis and Treatment;Translational Research Breakthroughs; Biomarker Breakthroughs; Interventional Trials Breakthroughs; Issues in Drug Development and Testing Breakthroughs; Turning Research Into Treatments:The Importance of Partnerships
  • 'Step Out For Lupus' 2009
  • Guardianship and Trusteeship in Alberta
  • Book Review - 'Autoimmune Epidemic' by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
  • Protect the Skin You're In
Summer 2009 topics include:

  • Study Results for Benlysta
  • H1N1 Questions and Facts
  • Lethbridge 'Step Out For Lupus' 2009
  • ALEVE approved in Canada - Health Canada Warning
  • Book Review - `Life Disrupted: Getting Real About Chronic Illness in Your Twenties and Thirties` by Laurie Edwards
  • How to Look After Someone at Home With H1N1 Virus
  • In The Mix - Designing a social life around the limits of lupus
  • The Value of Vaccines
  • How to Wash Your Hands - 7 Tips
Fall 2009 topics include:

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosis and the Mouth
  • The Thyroid-Lupus Relationship
  • Edmonton 'Step Out For Lupus'
  • Safe Use of Natural Health Products
  • OMRF Researcers Link Vitamin D Deficiency with Lupus
Winter 2009 topics include:

  • The Future Directions of Lupus Research (5th Installment) - Pediatric Lupus, Special Populations, Epidemiology and Health Services Research; Lupus Pregnancy anf Neonatal Lupus; Exogenous Agent-induced Lupus; Antiphospholipid Syndrome
  • Understanding the Long Term Course of Childhood Lupus
  • Book Review - `How Doctors Think` by Jerome Groopman MD
  • Warfarin Interactions With Drugs, Natural health and Food Products
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2008
Spring 2008 topics include:

  • The Future Directions of Lupus Research (2nd Installment) - Environmental Factors; Mechanisms of Disease: Innate Immunity, Acquired Immunity and Inflammation
  • Calgary 'Step Out For Lupus'
  • Volunteers and Supporters Who Shine
  • Mental Health - Coping With Stress
  • Health Canada Alert re: Heavy Metals in Some Ayurvedic Medicines
Summer 2008 topics include:

  • The Future Directions of Lupus Research (3rd Installment) - T and B Cell Breakthroughs; Mechanisms of Disease: Target Organ Damage; Kidney Breakthroughs; Central Nervous System Breakthroughs
  • Can Makeup Change Your Life?
  • Lethbridge and Calgary 'Step Out For Lupus'
  • New Products for People With Low Vision
  • Effects of Fish Oil on Cardiovascular Function and Lupus
  • The Advantages of Exercise
Fall 2008 topics include:

  • The Future Directions of Lupus Research (4th Installment) - Skin Breakthroughs; Cardiovascular System; Atherosclerosis Breakthroughs; Antiphospholipid Breakthroughs; Hormones and Pregnancy Hormone Breakthroughs
  • Psychosocial Aspects of Lupus
  • Book Review - 'An Apple a Day' by Joe Schwarcz, PhD
  • Clinically Meaningful Reduction in Disease Activity Reported With Epratuzumab
Winter 2008 topics include:

  • The Future Directions of Lupus Research - Introduction to Lupus; Incidence; Etiology (Cause); Genetic Breakthroughs; Mouse Models for Lupus Systemic Autoimmunity; Genetics of Human Lupus; Environmental Factors Breakthroughs; Medications; Ultraviolet Light; Epstein-Barr virus; Crystalline silica
  • Learning to Live With Lupus: A Student's Perspective
  • LSA Survey Results
  • Registered Disability Savings Plan
2007
Spring 2007 topics include:

  • Skin Care and Lupus
  • A Portrait in Courage
  • Combination of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) and Prednisone Associated with Improved Quality of Life for People With Lupus
  • Diabetes Drugs Might Help Prevent Heart Disease in Lupus
  • Consensus Developed on Definition of Improvement in Juvenile Lupus
Summer 2007 topics include:

  • Surge in Biomarker Research - Signals New Hope for Diagnosing and Managing Lupus
  • Can the Environment Cause Lupus?
  • Medical Laboratory Testing
  • A Portrait in Courage
  • Book Review - 'Lupus: the Facts' by Graham Hughes MD FRCP
  • Calgary 'Step Out for Lupus` 2007
  • Education Days 2007
Fall 2007 topics include:

  • Lyrica - New Fibromyalgia Treatment
  • Lupus Research Institute Opens New Directions in Autoimmune Research - Early Immune System Error Challenges Basic B-Cell Biology in Lupus
  • LSA Research Grant - Dr. Marvin Fritzler
  • Put Insomnia to Rest
  • Health Canada Endorsed Imortant Safety Information on Rituxan (rituximab)
  • Comfort and Companionship - Special Skills Dog
  • Lethbridge 'Step Out For Lupus'
2006
Spring 2006 topics include:

  • What's New in Lupus Medications?
  • First Annual 'Step Out For Lupus' - Calgary / Edmonton Pub Night Fundraiser and Public Awareness Event
  • Disabilities in Alberta
  • Book Review: 'You Don't Look Sick!: Living Well With chronic Illness' by J. Selak and S. Overman, MD, MPH
  • News in Research: Immunity and behaviour:Antibodies Alter Emotion; CaNIOS; Lymphocyte Depletion and Stem Cell Transplantation to Treat Severe SLE
Summer 2006 topics include:

  • Dysphagia
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Dental Patients At Risk
  • A Portrait in Courage
  • Education Days - Increased Risk of Heart Disease in Women With Lupus
Fall/Winter 2006 topics include:

  • Your Spleen ... Is it a New Target for Lupus Therapy
  • Sexuality and Lupus
  • Influenza