Helping those with Lupus

Let's start off with, What is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better). Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.
Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to someone.
Lupus is not like or related to cancer. Cancer is a condition of malignant, abnormal tissues that grow rapidly and spread into surrounding tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, as described above.
Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS the immune system is underactive; in lupus, the immune system is overactive.
Our research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no large-scale studies to show the actual number of people in the U.S. living with lupus.
It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus.
Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too.
Women of color are 2-3 times more likely to develop lupus.
People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.
More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country

Please click www.lupus.org to find out more information such as what causes lupus, the different forms of lupus, symptoms, and how to diagnos lupus.

HOW TO HELP THOSE WITH LUPUS...
* donate money
* walk for lupus
* conduct a health fair
* become an advocate
* find your local office and volunteer using your administrative abilities

You can find all this information and more at www.lupus.org

Thanks for listening!
Sheryl

Coupons & Discounts

I was at an event this evening taking some photographs and while swaping biz cards, I received a card from a lovely lady Aimee Brittian. Aimee does work for you by finding coupons and discounts. Click on her link below and the hard work has been done for you.

Have fun shopping!


http://thecoupondiva.com/

Better Yourself

Today is going to be a little different. I am sitting here on the couch pouting because it is cold and rainy outside and I "can't" ride my bike outside. I don't really want to go to the gym because they don't have good channels over there so there is nothing good on tv.

As you know I am in training for a 62.5 mile bike ride for Multiple Sclerosis. I am taking one thing at a time and while procrastinating on the internet (and a Facebook friend) I have found a great website that helps us new exercisers learn to do things right and not to over do it.

Today's blog is to help yourself. Get up off the couch, go for a run, a ride, or just do some sit-ups during the commercials. Anything to get going. Summer is on the way and we will all want to be outside as much as possible.

Thanks for listening!
Sheryl

Call a cab or find a sober driver

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today there are a lot of festivities going on. There are parades, pub crawls, parties, and just going out drinking that little thing we call green beer. While being irish is great and today is a free reason to party (like we need one), just remember to be safe while having fun! Find a designated driver or call a cab to take you home.

Have fun and Happy St. Patty's Day to ya!

Coupons & Discounts

I have a friend on Facebook and let me tell you... She ROCKS!!! Every day she is posting something new about a discount that she has found. She posts links with coupons. I am going to "steal" all of her information and pass it on to you. I hope you are able to get something from all of the information that is being passed on to you.

DISCOUNTS & COUPONS:

Become a fan (on Facebook) of Physicians Formula for a Buy 1 Get 1 Free Coupon (up to $19.99)! All you need to do is click on the 'register now' button after becoming a fan. I had to click on this twice before the registration form appeared. After registering you will receive your coupon via e-mail.


"Papa's In The House" HOOPS Sweepstakes
Enter NOW to win everything you need – a flat screen TV, Papa John's pizza and Coke Zero - for viewing great NCAA® Division I Men's and Women’s Championship Basketball Games!

Many Walgreens across the country have Sally Hershberger Shampoos &
Conditioners (originally $9 - $12) on clearance for $2.39! Use the $2.00 off coupon on RedPlum to make these $0.39! Keep
in mind that prices may vary by location and not all Walgreens will have this as a clearance item but it is definitely worth checking out! www.coupons.redplum.com

From the Coldwater Creek Facebook Fan Page: Through Thursday, 3/11/10, you will receive $25 off of your $50 purchase at Coldwater Creek. Just use the coupon code: FB2550 online, in stores or by phone.

Become a fan of Panda Express on Facebook and then print a coupon for a free single entree of Honey Walnut Shrimp on Wednesday, March 10.

It's hard to come by gas coupons but here is one that you will want to print! Go here
to print a coupon to save $2 off a $10 gas purchase at Murphy USA.
These are located at Walmart stores! This offer expires 03/16/10.

MURPHY USA E-NEWSLETTER
offers.murphyusa.com
Gas Coupons?! In the month of January, we had a pretty nice gas coupon. And from what we heard from all of you, you wanted to see more of the same from us! It can never be said that Murphy USA is not ...

Become fan of SunChips on FB and you will get a coupon for FREE Sunchips! (Offer is only for the first 100,000, so hurry)!

The North Face is offering a $10 Gift Certificate when you sign up for mobile text alerts. Keep in mind that text messaging rates will apply.

Value Mags is offering a free 10-issue digital subscription to Garden Design Magazine. These offers never last long so sign up now if your interested!

Free Offer for Garden Design Digital
www.valuemags.com
Enjoy 10 digital issues to Garden Design. No strings attached. You'll never receive a bill.Garden Design is a lifestyle magazine designed for the upscale, design-conscious reader who is passionate about gardening and landscape design. ...

www.lorealparisusa.com for FREE samples and coupons

Become a Ruby Tuesday Fan on Facebook and get a printable coupon for a Free appetizer with a purchase of $10 or more!

Nescafe is offering a new sample of their Tasters Choice stick packs. All you need to do is become a fan and then click on the Nescafe Samples tab to register.

Pureology is offering 2 samples and you get to choose your favorite. Go here and choose from their SuperSmooth RelaxingSerum or SuperSmooth SmoothingCream! *They will select winners randomly for the free samples.
Pureology Giveaways
www.pureology.com

Kroger's website has a new Instant Win Game called Hit the Hoops! Basically, you shoot the basketball for a chance to win prizes, coupons or a $5.00 credit to your shoppers card!

Taste of Home has drastically marked down their cookbooks to clear out the warehouse! We're talking $5 a cookbook! I plan on buying a fair amount and stock up for back up gifts (yes even for Christmas)! Don't wait though, these
go fast! Email $5 Cookbook Special From Shop Taste of home | Shop Taste of Home
www.shoptasteofhome.com $5 Cookbooks for our special customers

become a fan of Skittles on Facebook. After doing so, click on the “Coupon the Rainbow” tab and fill out the form to print a coupon valid for a FREE Skittles single serve product with the purchase of one!

Find out how restaurants across the country stack up, based on reviews and ratings from people who've eaten there.
www.yelp.com


Thanks so much Jennifer for all of your work in finding this information and passing it along. You are amazing!!

Thanks for listening and good luck to everyone!!
Sheryl

Discount at Gap while they help the environment

Do you have old jeans that you don't want anymore. Now is a great time to pay it forward and get a little something in return. Starting tomorrow through the 14th, you can bring in your old denim (any brand) to Gap and receive a 30% discount off a new pair. If you use your Gap store card, you’ll get 35% off!

Where to find Volunteer Work

Hands On Network is the company that is currently working with Disney in the "Give A Day, Get A Day" program. Now you can go through www.disney.com to find something and sign up for a free ticket to Disney, or you can just go to the Hands On Network website and find something.


www.handsonnetwork.org

Put in your zip code and you can find tons of events and places to volunteer. Help someone out today and sign up!

Thanks for listening!
Sheryl

Donate your magazines, newspapers, etc to nursing homes or hospitals.

Thanks for listening!!