“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so
with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
- Maya Angelou
Save The Date
Save The Date
Celebrating 50 years of serving the lupus community.
1973-2023
To Live with Lupus, We Need to Know About Lupus
Thursday, May 29, 2025, | 7 pm - 8 pm | Webinar
This event will be presented by Zineb Aouhab, MD, a rheumatologist at Loyola, and will include the history of lupus, medications, and research updates.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration will open soon and is required to access the webinar.
Heart Health Awareness Webinar
Presented by: LaShon Gurrola, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Watch this outstanding presentation featuring lupus warrior LaShon Gurrola, who shares her personal experiences while educating us on lupus and cardiovascular health.
Chicago Fire v. Atlanta United with the LSI Associate Board
Saturday, May 10th | 1:30 PM
Join the LSI Associate Board on World Lupus Day!!!
Join the LSI Associate Board members at a soccer match at Solider Field to raise lupus awareness while having fun!
Tickets are in section 214. LSI Associate Board seats are $36 with a face value of $45. $7 of your $36 ticket is donated to the LSI.
Deadlifts for Lupus Spring 2025
Theta Lambda Beta Fraternity, Inc is excited to bring back our "Deadlifts for Lupus" Philanthropy Event in collaboration with Lupus Society of Illinois! Join Theta Lambda Beta Fraternity and be a part of a fun virtual deadlifting competition, with prizes and more fun activities. With this event Theta Lambda Beta hope to spread awareness about Lupus and raise funds to support the Lupus Society of Illinois!
Check out these events supported by the Lupus Society of Illinois!
Living with lupus requires us to stay mindful of our bodies and our minds, making regular exercise and mental well-being a priority, even when it’s challenging. The winter months can feel especially tough, as the cold dampens our energy and the darkness weighs on our spirit. But even a little movement each day, and checking in with how we're feeling, can bring strength and balance. It’s not always easy, but taking those small steps, with patience and care, can make all the difference in nurturing both body and soul. To help along the way, you might want to check out these upcoming events sponsored by UChicago Medicine at Ingalls—they offer support, resources, and connection to keep you going.
Don’t let Lupus hold you back;
DEFY YOUR LIMITATIONS
I discovered the BodyParts Senior Fitness/UChicago Medicine’s Urban Health Initiative in 2020, near the beginning of the COVID shutdown. Participating in the classes allowed me to stay safe, save gas and time, lose twenty-five pounds, and share lupus information during the pandemic. -Kay Mimms
Dr. Cecilia Brantley, Founder of BodyParts Senior Fitness, is a wellness professional in partnership with UChicago Medicine's Urban Health Initiative. Two components of the "FREE" BodyParts Senior Fitness/UChicago Medicine are VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON. Dr. Brantley provides the instructors for each component of this complimentary community service.
The VIRTUAL Body Parts Senior Fitness/UChicago Medicine Zoom Class meets every Wednesday & Friday, 8:15 – 9:00 am, and features Aerobic Interval. Click the button to register for the virtual class.
The IN-PERSON BodyParts Senior Fitness/UChicago Medicine Classes meet at Griffin-Museum of Science & Industry (G-MSI). Free parking is provided until 9:30am. The classes include:
Walking: Mon - Wed - Fri - Sun @ 7:30-9:00 am
Group Fitness: 1-4th Quarter Diversified Programming: i.e.,
Oct.-Dec. Feature YOGA: Classes Mondays @ 8:15-9:00 am.
No Class Holidays: Oct. 14th & Nov. 11th
NOTE: 'In-Person' Follow-up after 15-20 business days once you complete the registration. If have not received a response/badge mailed. Feel welcome to contact:
Afia Jones,
Community Relations Coordinator
The University of Chicago Medicine
FYI:
If these times are not convenient and you are looking for ways to stay in shape, select from pre-recorded exercise videos to workout at home anytime!
@UCMUrbanHealthInitiative‧videos
In Health,
Cecilia Brantley, PhD., Exec. Dir.
Robert M. Brantley-President
BodyParts Senior Fitness (BSF)
Founder: 312-437-7044
· M-W-F @ 1:30-3:00pm
Website: https://www.alignable.com/chicago-il/bodyparts-senior-fitness-bsf
UPDATE FROM LUPUS RESEARCH ALLIANCE
An international task force has released detailed recommendations for physical activity and exercise tailored for individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Discover the insights from the authors, including Dr. Laurent Arnaud, M.D., Ph.D., a member of the Lupus Research Alliance Scientific Advisory Board.
New Support Group Starting
A new Support Group is starting in Zion, IL.
The first meeting is May 6, 2024.
For more information on this or any of the Lupus Support Groups, contact Lisa at lisa@lupusil.org
We are honored to have our Lupus Journey spotlighted in the RARE Revolution Magazine Autoimmune Diseases Spotlight Edition, launched in November 2023.
Kay’s Past Advocacy Events 2022 - 2023
August 23, 2022
HORIZON THERAPEUTICS PATIENT ADVOCACY PANEL
Cecil and Kay participated in a Patient Advocacy Panel to kick off the Research and Development (R&D) week at Horizon Therapeutics. The panel was created to help members of the Horizon Research and Development team “better understand the journey with diseases and help them as they work through potential solutions.” Kay shared her lupus story, and Cecil helped to paint a picture of serving as a care partner.
September 17, 2022 – Interview with NEESHA’S NETWORK
Kay was interviewed on Neesha’s Network, a weekly program on YouTube and Facebook where Neesha connects people and helps to build relationships. Kay provided information about her lupus journey, her lupus books - FIGHTING LUPUS BATTLES, and her business - Kay’s Lupus Initiatives.
JOIN NEESHA EVERY WEEK LIVE AS SHE INTERVIEWS ENTREPRENEURS AND DISCUSSES TOPICS YOU SHOULD KNOW
#network #talkshow #mastercoach #coaching #lifecoaching
3/6/2023 Lupus Evidence Accelerator Video & Workshop
Sponsored by TREND Community, Horizon Therapeutics, and the Lupus Society of Illinois
3/7/2023 Horizon Therapeutics Headquarters
Cecil and Kay presented Kay’s Lupus Story
3/25/2023 Second Annual Finer Womanhood Tea
Janice G. Kissner Award for Service
Sponsored by Zeta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm; Arrival at 12:30 pm
Serbian Social Center 18550 Stony Island, Lansing, IL 60438
4/1/2023 Apostolic Lupus Support Group
Cecil and Kay presented WALKING MIRACLE ; a Power Point that introduced Kay’s Lupus Bingo Game
Apostolic Church of God 6320 S. Dorchester Chicago, IL 60637
4/17/2023 AARP Monthly Meeting
Cecil and Kay presented WALKING MIRACLE; a Power Point that introduced Kay’s Lupus Bingo Game
Rich Township Senior Center
297 Liberty Drive Park Forest, IL 60466
6/24/2023 “Living Life” Support Group Award Luncheon
Kay received the Lupus Health & Advocate Award.
PLACE: OOOH WEE! IT IS!
33 E. 83rd St. Chicago, IL. 60619