Upcoming Events
Upcoming events.
From support groups, to symposiums, to awareness walks and fundraisers, join us at one of the upcoming events below in support of lupus awareness with the goal of finding a cure.
Ann Arbor Lupus Symposium
Join us for an opportunity to bring the lupus community together for a day of connection and education in Ann Arbor. The symposium is open to those with lupus, friends and family, medical professionals and students. Registration is $10 per person (members attend free). The event will take place from 10 am-1 pm on the University of Michigan’s campus, Forum Hall, located in Palmer Commons. Registration opens at 9 am.
Speakers include:
“Plaquenil for the Lupus Patient”
Dr. Zeinab Saleh, rheumatologist
University of Michigan Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology
Many people with lupus are prescribed the antimalarial Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for the rest of their lives to control their disease and reduce flares. Dr. Saleh will explain the benefits of Plaquenil in managing lupus, including its specific advantages for pregnant patients. She will review the associated side effects, with particular emphasis on ocular toxicity and will discuss the role of monitoring blood levels to optimize patient care.
“Cutaneous Manifestations of Connective Tissue Diseases & the Role of a Dermatologist in Treating Lupus”
Dr. David Fivenson, dermatologist
Fivenson Dermatology
Dr. Fivenson is a nationally recognized specialist in autoimmune skin disease, wound care, clinical research and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. He has been an investigator on more than 180 clinical trials for both common and rare skin diseases. His presentation will cover cutaneous manifestations of connective tissue diseases and the specific skin types of lupus. He will also give an overview of the role of a dermatologist in a patient’s management of lupus.
“Self-Care for Lupus Pain and Related Symptoms”
Dr. Rachel Bergmans
University of Michigan Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center
Dr. Bergmans is a Research Investigator in the Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan and leads the Health Equity Core. Her program is focused on integrating community-engaged approaches within the context of clinical research for chronic pain conditions to inform tailored care strategies and reduce inequities in treatment outcomes. She will outline the wide variety of self-care techniques that can help you manage some aspects of your lupus symptoms.
“Psychedelics and Lupus Research”
Dr. Jacob S. Aday
University of Michigan, Department of Anesthesiology, Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center, Michigan Psychedelic Center
Jacob S. Aday, Ph.D. is a research investigator in the Department of Anesthesiology, with appointments in the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center as well as the Michigan Psychedelic Center. Dr. Aday will present on the historical background of psychedelics, current therapeutic applications they are being explored for, and emerging research on their potential use for lupus and other chronic pain conditions.
“Make Your Voice Heard: the Importance of State & Federal Advocacy”
Kimberly Dimond
Executive Director, Michigan Lupus Foundation
The Michigan Lupus Foundation is advocating to improve the patient experience with health insurance, medications and disability rights in the state of Michigan. We are actively engaged in advocacy efforts at both the federal and state levels by joining national and state coalitions to help improve the quality of life for those living with lupus. Learn how you can help impact current legislation on topics that are affecting those with lupus.
Admission is $10 per person. Members attend free.
Sponsored by:
Donations made to the Michigan Lupus Foundation directly support those with lupus through assistance, awareness and research with the goal of finding a cure. The MI Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. To learn more about the Michigan Lupus Foundation, visit http://milupus.org.
Grand Rapids Golf for Lupus
Join us for a fun day on the course at Saskatoon Golf Club in support of the Michigan Lupus Foundation! Event includes a round of golf, refreshments, longest drive contest, closest to the pin, longest putt, raffle prizes and more. All proceeds support lupus awareness, advocacy, education and research in the state of Michigan. Generously hosted by Stephanie Houseman.
$100 per person or $400 per team • $350 Hole Sponsorships Available (deadline April 22) • Teams must be registered by April 28.
Can’t make it but still want to support the event? Donate Here
Donations made to the Michigan Lupus Foundation directly support those with lupus through assistance, awareness and research with the goal of finding a cure. The MI Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. To learn more about the Michigan Lupus Foundation, visit http://milupus.org.
Lansing Walk for Lupus
Join the Michigan Lupus Foundation at the state capitol on Saturday, May 31 to conclude Lupus Awareness Month and walk in support of lupus awareness, patient services and lupus research to help find a cure. May is a time for the lupus community across the country to join together to raise awareness of the physical, emotional and economic impact of lupus. An awareness walk is an excellent opportunity to rally your friends and family to raise funds to support the fight against lupus. Join us in making lupus visible by creating a team and sharing it with friends and family. Top teams will be recognized at the walk.
Registration $25 per adult (children 17 & under are free)
Registration on site opens @ 9 am
Teams encouraged
Event sponsorships & sponsor signs available
Refreshments and coffee provided
Silent auction/raffle items
Walking is not required for those who cannot physically participate - sit and enjoy the event! Donations made to the MI Lupus Foundation help ensure we are able to continue to work hard to support lupus patients and their families.
Donations made to the Michigan Lupus Foundation directly support those with lupus through assistance, awareness and research with the goal of finding a cure. The MI Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. To learn more about the Michigan Lupus Foundation, visit http://milupus.org.
Rochester Walk for Lupus
Join the Michigan Lupus Foundation on Saturday, October 5 for a picturesque fall walk through Rochester Municipal Park in downtown Rochester. Come walk, rain or shine, in support of lupus awareness, patient services and lupus research to help find a cure.
Registration $25 per adult (children 17 & under are free)
Registration on site opens @ 9 am
Teams encouraged
Event sponsorships & sponsor signs available
Refreshments and coffee provided
Silent auction/raffle items
Walking is not required for those who cannot physically participate - sit and enjoy the event!
Sponsored by:
Donations made to the Michigan Lupus Foundation directly support those with lupus through assistance, awareness and research with the goal of finding a cure. The MI Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. To learn more about the Michigan Lupus Foundation, visit http://milupus.org.
Grand Rapids Walk for Lupus
Join the Michigan Lupus Foundation on Saturday, September 7 at the Pond Pavilion at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids. Come walk, rain or shine, in support of lupus awareness, patient services and lupus research to help find a cure!
Registration $25 per adult / $18 per child, which includes zoo admission if registered by August 25. A $5 admission ticket is available if you’re already a season ticket holder to the zoo.
Registration on site opens @ 9 am
Teams encouraged
Event sponsorships & sponsor signs available
Refreshments and coffee provided
Silent auction/raffle
The group walk portion is a short walk between Pond Pavilion and the entrance of the zoo, then attendees are free to enjoy the zoo at their own pace. Walking is not required for those who cannot physically participate - sit and enjoy the event!
Sponsored by:
Donations made to the Michigan Lupus Foundation directly support those with lupus through assistance, awareness and research with the goal of finding a cure. The MI Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. To learn more about the Michigan Lupus Foundation, visit http://milupus.org.
Grand Rapids Golf Outing for Lupus
Join us for a fun day on the course at Saskatoon Golf Club in support of the Michigan Lupus Foundation! Event includes a round of golf, refreshments, longest drive contest, closest to the pin, longest putt, raffle prizes and more. All proceeds support lupus awareness, advocacy, education and research in the state of Michigan. Generously hosted by Stephanie Houseman.
$100 per person or $400 per team • $350 Hole Sponsorships Available (deadline June 10, choose "register" to purchase a sponsorship) • Teams must be registered by June 17.
Donations made to the Michigan Lupus Foundation directly support those with lupus through assistance, awareness and research with the goal of finding a cure. The MI Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. To learn more about the Michigan Lupus Foundation, visit http://milupus.org.
Lupus Research Alliance Northern Michigan Walk
Awareness walks are a fun way to help fund important research to find personalized treatments and ultimately, a cure for lupus. The Lupus Research Alliance will be hosting their 2024 Northern Michigan Walk with Us to Cure Lupus on Saturday, June 8 at Mineral Springs Park in Frankfort. The Michigan Lupus Foundation is committed to furthering national research efforts.
Celebrate World Lupus Day
MAY 10 IS WORLD LUPUS DAY!
World Lupus Day is sponsored by the World Lupus Federation, a coalition of lupus patient organizations from around the world, united to improve the quality of life for people affected by lupus.
Help raise awareness on World Lupus Day by wearing purple and joining us for a rooftop social gathering in Traverse City. Those with lupus and friends and family members are welcome. Let’s paint the town purple and use hashtags #WorldLupusDay and #MILupus.
Free Event! RSVP required:
Lupus Awareness Month
May is Lupus Awareness Month in the United States! It’s a time for the lupus community across the country to join together to raise awareness of the physical, emotional and economic impact of lupus. We’re launching the “Real Hope for a Bright Tomorrow” campaign to help raise awareness, advocate for change and fight for a cure.
We encourage Michiganders to share information about lupus on social media, in your community and with family and friends. We’ve provided a Lupus Awareness Month Toolkit to make digital sharing easy.
Donations made to the MI Lupus Foundation help ensure we are able to continue to work hard to support lupus patients and their families. Lupus Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity to rally your friends and family to raise funds to support the fight against lupus. Join us in making lupus visible by creating a team, joining a team or fundraising as an individual and sharing with friends and family. The top fundraiser will be recognized at the end of the month. 100% of the funds raised go toward the Michigan Lupus Foundation’s mission.
Lansing Lupus Symposium
Join us for an opportunity to bring the lupus community together for a day of connection and education in mid-Michigan on Saturday, April 6. Open to those with lupus, friends and family, medical professionals and students. Registration opens at 9 am and the event will take place from 9 am-1 pm on Michigan State University’s campus. Handicap parking available and the event will take place in the accessible radiology building auditorium.
Speakers include:
“Lupus and the Antiphospholipid Syndrome”
Dr. Carol Beals, MD, rheumatologist
Dr. Carol Beals, MD is a retired rheumatologist with decades of experience in the Lansing area. She established the Beals Institute, later renamed the Great Lakes Center of Rheumatology West, which provides the highest quality and state-of-the-art health care for arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and osteoporosis. Dr. Beals will address the connection between lupus and the Antiphospholipid Syndrome. People with lupus may develop Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), a condition that can cause blood clots to form in various parts of the body. Depending on the location of clots, the effects can be life threatening.
“Plaquenil and the Eyes”
Dr. Bridget C. Grubb, O.D., L.O. Eye Care Grand Ledge
The anti-malarial drug Plaquenil is often prescribed to those with lupus to lower the immune system’s ability to cause inflammation. This can help control symptoms like rashes, skin and mouth sores and joint pain. A rare side effect of Plaquenil is damage to the eye’s retina and using Plaquenil for a long period of time may cause serious vision loss. Dr. Bridget Grubb, O.D., is an ophthalmologist at L.O. Eye Care in Grand Ledge and will speak more on Plaquenil and its effect on the eyes.
“Neurologic Manifestations of Systemic Lupus”
Dr. Amit Sachdev, MD, neurologist
Lupus can attack any part of the nervous system – the central nervous system (CNS lupus), peripheral nervous system and autonomic nervous system. The wide array of symptoms include seizures, strokes, confusion, brain fog, psychosis, myelitis, loss of vision, face pain, dizziness, carpal tunnel, headaches, depression and anxiety, among others. Amit Sachdev, MD, is the Medical Director for the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University and board certified in Neuromuscular Medicine, Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Neurology. Dr. Sachdev will speak about the neurologic manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Admission is free of charge or suggested donation.
The Michigan Lupus Foundation would like to thank Michigan State University and University of Michigan Health-Sparrow for their assistance with this symposium.
Sponsored by:
Donations made to the Michigan Lupus Foundation directly support those with lupus through assistance, awareness and research with the goal of finding a cure. The MI Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. To learn more about the Michigan Lupus Foundation, visit http://milupus.org.
Let’s Bowl Out Lupus
Make it a Sunday Funday and join the 9th Annual Let’s Bowl Out Lupus! Enjoy 3 games of bowling, pizza and pop. Not a bowler but still want to support the cause? No problem, attend without bowling at a discount rate. Hosted by Ray Chizmadia and all proceeds support the Michigan Lupus Foundation.
Contact Ray Chizmadia to reserve your spot: (586) 212-0775 or zihc5@sbcglobal.net.
Traverse City Lupus Symposium
Join us for an opportunity to bring the lupus community together for a day of connection and education in Northern Michigan. Hear from experts on mental health, therapeutic nutrition and more. Open to those with lupus, friends and family, medical professionals and students. Registration opens at 12:30 pm and the event will take place from 1-4 pm at the Park Place Hotel downtown Traverse City. Handicap parking available and the event will take place on the main floor.
Speakers include:
Dr. Jill Balla D.C., Authentic Health LLC
With over 15 years of dedicated experience, Dr. Jill Balla D.C. is a highly qualified chiropractor with a passion for therapeutic nutrition. In her presentation, she will explore autoimmune conditions from an alternative paradigm using nutritional therapy to help prevent the body from causing further destruction in addition to removing deficiencies and pathogens in order to allow the body to heal.
Rick Coates, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Grand Traverse
Lupus and its treatment options can both impair one’s mental and emotional health. About 80-90% of people with lupus experience depression and/or anxiety at some point throughout the chronic disease. Rick Coates, Executive Director of NAMI Grand Traverse, will join us to talk about the importance of mental health and what resources are available in the area.
Kimberly Dimond, MI Lupus Foundation Executive Director
Hear notable national and statewide updates in the lupus community including advocacy efforts, working with insurance and co-pay assistance programs, tips for traveling internationally with lupus and more.
$10 registration / Members attend free
Make a weekend of it! Enjoy a guided wine tasting amidst the panoramic fall views of Bonobo Winery’s vineyards on Friday, October 6 from 6-8 pm. Learn more and buy tickets here. All proceeds support lupus services, education efforts, awareness and research across the state of Michigan.
Donations made to the Michigan Lupus Foundation directly support those with lupus through assistance, awareness and research with the goal of finding a cure. The MI Lupus Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. To learn more about the Michigan Lupus Foundation, visit http://milupus.org.
Sip & Support for Lupus
Enjoy a guided wine tasting amidst the panoramic fall views of Bonobo Winery’s vineyards and the West Grand Traverse Bay in Michigan’s Old Mission Peninsula. The tasting will include five 1-ounce pours and shareable small plates. Bid on silent auction items or make additional contributions to support lupus services, education efforts, awareness and research across the state of Michigan.
Act fast! The tasting is limited to 30 guests. Register by Thursday, October 5. Tickets cannot be guaranteed at the door. All attendees must be at least 21 years old.
Make a weekend of it! An educational lupus symposium is planned for Saturday, October 7 from 1-4 pm at the Park Place Hotel downtown Traverse City. Learn more and register here.
John Ball Zoo Walk for Lupus
Join the Michigan Lupus Foundation on Saturday, September 9 at the Pond Pavilion at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids. Come walk rain or shine in support of lupus awareness, patient services and lupus research to help find a cure!
Registration $25 per adult / $18 per child, which includes zoo admission if registered by August 26
Registration on site opens @ 9 am
Teams encouraged
Corporate sponsorships available
Walking is not required for those who cannot physically participate - sit and enjoy the rest of the event!
Interested in donating an item for the silent auction? Email info@milupus.org. We appreciate your support!
Thank You to Our Event Sponsor: GSK
Managing Lupus with GSK Registered Nurse Leigh Mark
Join GSK Patient Advocate & Registered Nurse Leigh Mark for a special evening support group to discuss lifestyle and behavioral tips to help manage lupus, such as treatment goals, symptom tracking, communication, and sticking to a treatment plan.
Register here to receive the Zoom meeting link: milupus.org/support-groups
Lapeer Timberly Memorial Walk for Lupus
Join the MI Lupus Foundation on Sunday, May 21 at Rowden Park in Lapeer. Enjoy great raffle items, games, food and music! Come walk rain or shine to help spread lupus awareness in memory of lupus warrior Timberly Ranshaw.
Registration $25 per person, children 17 and under are free
Registration on site opens @ 12 pm
Teams encouraged! Fundraise using the link below
Sponsorships available
Walking is not required for those who cannot physically participate - sit and enjoy the rest of the event!
Thank You to Our Event Sponsors: GSK and Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Enhancing Lives by Empowering the Lupus Community Detroit Education Symposium & Luncheon
The Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc. is partnering with the MI Lupus Foundation for an educational symposium featuring topics on Clinical Research Trials and Participation, Patient Empowerment, Treatment Access Challenges, Care Partnering and Tools for Survival when Dealing with Chronic Disease. A list of regional lupus clinical trial opportunities, patient empowerment & advocacy resource materials and current healthcare access issues will be available for distribution.
Lunch is included and the event and luncheon are free, but you must register to attend.
Let’s Bowl Out Lupus
Make it a Sunday Funday and join the 8th Annual Let’s Bowl Out Lupus! Enjoy 3 games of bowling, pizza and pop. Not a bowler but still want to support the cause? No problem, attend without bowling at a discount rate. All proceeds support the MI Lupus Foundation.
Contact Ray Chizmadia to reserve your spot: (586) 212-0775 or zihc5@sbcglobal.net.