Lupus SK Society Inc.
OUR MISSION: To provide support for those affected by LUPUS through understanding, education, public awareness and research.
Lupus SK is pleased to announce that we are now accepting donations via PayPal. PayPal is a safe, convenient way to send funds online.
All you need is a credit card! If you would like to make a contribution to Lupus SK, please use the button below, or in the sidebar on the right.
April 13, 2016
The 2016 Spring Symposium is this weekend! Lupus SK would like to extend thanks to our generous media sponsor, Saskatoon Media Group.
Date: Saturday April 16th, 2016
Location: Smiley’s Buffet & Event Center, Banquet Room B
Time: Registration at 12:30 pm, presentations at 1:00 pm
Speakers: Dr. Judith Klassen, Nephrologist; Dr. Louise Gagne, Saskatoon Community Clinic
Everyone is welcome including youth with lupus, or any autoimmune disease, those newly diagnosed or veterans, family members, medical personnel, or anyone with an interest in the multitude of questions that surround the diseases included in the term autoimmune. Admission is free of charge. Contact the coordinator to pre-register or for further details. Irene Driedger at 1-877-566-6123 or idriedger@sasktel.net. The event poster is available here.
Join us once again for Lupus SK's Walk for Lupus event, taking place in cities across Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon: May 15, 2016 - poster available here.
Meadow Lake: June 4, 2016 - poster available here.
Download your pledge sheet here, or for more information, please contact Irene Driedger by e-mail at idriedger@sasktel.net or by cell at 1-306-227-9562.
Save the Date! June 24th, 2016. We are pleased to announce that Jim Yuel and the group with Adventure Destinations International have confirmed they will continue to be the $10,000 Title Sponsor for Lupus SK's 2nd Annual "No Show Event". No Show Events are something new in the corporate world. The charity continues to send out a letter requesting a monetary sponsorship, for an event that will not require expenses or volunteers. We are continuing to work with Jim Yuel and corporate sponsors to raise money for Lupus SK.
Please note: The Board Meeting and AGM scheduled for Saturday, November 21 have been conducted by teleconference.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our president, Lloyd Driedger on November 14, 2015 after a courageous journey with cancer. Our sincerest condolences go out to Irene, his wife and treasurer of Lupus SK, and to her family.
When someone volunteers to take on an office, whatever the position may be, you expect that person to do one’s best to carry through on that commitment. Lloyd Driedger was that kind of person. In 2004 when Lupus SK Society (as it is now called) was without a President and one was urgently needed, Lloyd stepped up and said he would take it on. At that time he was 1st Vice President, although his involvement went back many years through supporting his wife Irene in her journey through lupus. Irene already held the Treasurer’s position and as a team they were unbeatable. Lloyd brought a new vitality to Lupus SK with good ideas for furthering the image of Lupus SK as a solid Member of Lupus Canada, yet was always ready to listen to the ideas of others. When we got a little off track in our meetings, he would bring us back to the issue at hand with both humor and fairness. He never failed to complement us on our volunteer efforts. His President’s Message in the Newsletter usually included a Thank You and upbeat motivation for our next venture. As our representative at Lupus Canada meetings, there is no doubt that he left an image of a strong and successful provincial organization.
As a leader Lloyd was professional, but realistic and forthright. In 2010 the Board was restructured into caretaker executive with directors. Lloyd believed that the names of the positions were not so important, but rather that those in positions be actively involved working in the organization.
In terms of running Lupus SK, Lloyd’s excellent executive and managerial skills complemented Irene’s expert work as treasurer. This dynamic duo has indeed set the bar high. A visiting member from the Diabetes Association once remarked that other non-profit organizations have much to learn from the example of Lupus SK.
In true Saskatchewan style, Lloyd led by example. He was a team player. If a job needed doing, he rolled up his sleeves and helped, from Board and Committee work to troubleshooting equipment problems in the office, from doing the initial layout for the next newsletter to manually adding labels to mail outs.
Lloyd focused on getting the message out about lupus. During his tenure Lupus SK has evolved to hold biannual medical symposiums. In addition to the newsletter, a website and social media are now available.
Fundraising is essential in any non-profit organization. Lloyd accessed corporate donations and steered five very successful annual golf tournaments. He oversaw the production of two cookbooks, the first edited and the second authored by Irene with all proceeds donated to Lupus SK. Walks for Lupus extended across the province. Since 2006 Lupus SK has been donating increasingly sizeable funds to the Pediatric Rheumatic Disease Research Laboratory directed by Dr. Alan Rosenberg at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.
In his President’s Message in a recent Lupus SK newsletter, Lloyd appealed, “What can we contribute as an individual to our chosen cause, … (do) whatever we can.” Lloyd’s mantra was: If something is worth doing, do it to the best of one’s ability. If someone needs help, gladly help.
With his passion, determination and compassion, Lloyd was an inspirational keystone of Lupus SK. His positive and supportive attitude combined with his focus on getting things done, made him a wonderful president of the Society. He was clear thinking and fair, willing to listen to all points of view, offered intelligent ideas for debate and thoughtful responses to others. Over the years he and Irene tirelessly dedicated many long hours of personal time to Lupus SK even after the diagnosis of his illness. We will miss his upbeat, humorous and encouraging manner in our organization, and most of all we will miss his friendship.
Lloyd continued as President of Lupus SK to the present. He missed very few meetings and events, even though most of those years he was very busy with his employment at NRT. He enjoyed nature and especially the beauty of the North; this was displayed in the photographs he entered when we produced a Nature Calendar as our 2007 fundraiser. In fact five of his entries were chosen to be on the calendar, namely – Winter Beauty, Lake Sculpture, Pot of Gold, Summer Paradise and Winter Road, titles he chose and they were truly winners.
“Life’s Work Well Done, Life’s Race Well Run” just about sums up Lloyd’s life – we only wish the race had lasted longer!
We will truly miss you, Lloyd.
Ann van der Wal accepting the $1,000 cheque from Steven Simpson, Leader of Service & Co-Owner of Centennial 360
Every month Centennial 360, a Saskatoon-based firm monthly donates $1000 to a charity or non-profit organization that is nominated by the community. The winner is decided by the total number of online nomination forms submitted.
For the fourth consecutive year Lupus SK has won the $1000 prize for the month of October. THANK YOU to all who submitted nomination forms. THANK YOU, Centennial 360. What a way to recognize Lupus Month!
Vi Van Allen held her Annual Melfort Craft & Bake Sale, Thursday October 29, 2015. Vi’s dedicated friends contributed a good assortment of cookies, tarts, muffins, popcorn twists, scuffles, angel food cake, loaves of bread and of course Vi’s famous Norwegian baking. Each buyer received a Lupus red tote bag promoting Lupus public awareness. Thank you Vi for your dedication and raising $465 for Lupus SK along with so much public awareness in the Melfort district. Your dedication is so appreciated by the Lupus SK.
Please join us in welcoming Katie Thompson in her new position as secretary. Katie has jumped right in and has taken on this role completely. Katie's Personal Story can be read here.
This is an opportunity for those interested to meet for socializing, networking and support. The group is casual, informal and inclusive. We welcome anyone with lupus or any autoimmune condition, family and friends to attend.
Java Talk meets approximately once a month. The date, time and place will be sent by email to those expressing an interest in participating. Contact Tammy Schmidt by email at gt5.schmidthouse@gmail.com for more info.
Information on the contact list will be used for the express purpose of Java Talk, and at no time will be distributed for any reason outside of Java Talk without prior written consent.
Board Meetings 2016
Dates: April 2, September 17, November 19
Location: Smiley’s Buffet and Event Center, 702 Circle Drive East, Saskatoon, SK (across from Home Depot)
Everyone is welcome.
AGM 2016
Date: November 19
Location: Smiley’s Buffet and Event Center, 702 Circle Drive East, Saskatoon, SK (across from Home Depot)
Everyone is welcome.
Spring and Fall Symposiums
Dates: Spring: April 16th, Fall: October 22nd
"Living Well With Lupus" Fact Booklet
Lupus SK has undertaken an educational outreach project to provide this booklet free of charge in Saskatchewan, to people with lupus and their families. It has also been distributed to Rheumatologists, Family Physicians, Regional Health Authorities, and Pharmacies. If you would like to receive a copy or know of a physician or pharmacy in your area who may have been missed, please contact Irene Driedger at 1-877-566-6123 or idriedger@sasktel.net.
Lupus Information Kit
A free Lupus Information Kit may be requested at our mailing address, toll free phone number or e-mail address listed below. The kit includes basic lupus and membership information, and a complimentary copy of our newsletter, "The Saskatchewan Lupine".
Lupus SK is proud to say that we are an almost entirely volunteer-run organization. That means a large portion of the funds raised go towards the goals in our mission statement, to provide support for those affected by lupus through understanding, education, public awareness and research. A small amount only, is used for administration. That also means that our volunteers are indispensable! Lupus SK would not exist without volunteers. That is why we need you to please consider joining our team as a volunteer.
New volunteers are always welcome and there are many ways to become involved. Let us know what your talents and interests are and we will find just the right spot for you. We have a lot of fun, we feel connected and the accomplishments are very worthwhile.
If you would like to join us, please contact Irene Driedger at idriedger@sasktel.net or 1-877-566-6123.
Lupus SK is pleased to be able to accept online donations through the CanadaHelps.org website.
CanadaHelps.org is a not-for-profit charity portal that serves as an information resource about charities in Canada and seeks to promote and facilitate philanthropy through online giving. As a public foundation, CanadaHelps uses a donor-directed funding model to facilitate online donations from donors to charities. CanadaHelps.org offers its services at a very low cost to the charity and at no cost to the donor.
To view our Charity Profile or make a donation, please use the 'Donate Now' button.
Contact Us!
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Box 88, Royal University Hospital 103 Hospital Drive Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8 |
| Call Toll Free: 1-877-566-6123 |
| or e-mail lupus@lupussk.com |
Registered charity number: 11902 5880 RR 0001
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