The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), Indiana Chapter, will host an educational meeting at St. Mary Medical Center on Monday, November 22, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in Conference Room 3. The speaker is Janet Moffat, MSW, LCSW who will be talking about “Stress Less” learning how to relieve stress and attain balance. Meetings are free and open to anyone interested in learning more about lupus, as well as, anyone living with a chronic condition. 
Regular meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at St. Mary Medical Center in Conference Room 3 (West tower – first floor). The hospital is located at1500 S. Lake Park Avenue in Hobart.
The LFA, Indiana Chapter has formed this group for those living with lupus, as well as, their family members and caregivers. It is estimated that there are more than 3,000 people living with lupus in Lake and Porter Counties. The group allows its members an opportunity for a healthy exchange of feelings, opinions and thoughts while coping with this very complicated illness. Meeting programs vary from guest speakers to video presentations and open group discussions.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease which can be destructive to any major organ or tissue in the body. The disease can be very unpredictable and is potentially fatal, yet no satisfactory treatment or cure exists. Approximately 1.5 million Americans and at least five million people worldwide have a form of lupus. Lupus strikes mostly females ages 15-44, although females and males of all ages can develop lupus, and African American women are 2-3 times more likely to develop lupus.
About the Lupus Foundation of America: The Lupus Foundation of America is the nation’s leading nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support services, and hope to all people affected by lupus. The LFA and its nationwide network of nearly 300 chapters and support groups, like the Indiana Chapter, conduct programs of research, education, and advocacy. The Indiana Chapter of the LFA serves more than 2,600 individuals and their families affected by lupus who live in 14 counties in the Northwest Indiana region.
For more information on the Indiana Chapter support groups, lupus, or the LFA, visit www.lupusindiana.org or call 800.948.8806.