In 1979 a small but dedicated number of "lupines" came together in Saskatoon to create a cohesive group intended to support and educate those who were diagnosed with lupus and those who lived and worked with lupus sufferers. On March 4, 1980, Gwen MacDonald, Nurse Educator, and Joni Sereda, Social Worker, sent letters to lupus patients in Saskatchewan inviting them to attend an organizational meeting. The first meeting was held at the (Royal) University Hospital on March 19th with 45 persons attending. Dr. W.E. DeCoteau, Medical Director of the Rheumatic Diseases Unit at that hospital was the first speaker on April 30th and Pat Leece chaired the first executive meeting. Five committees were formed: Program Planning, Visitation, Lunch, Publicity and Newsletter.

Alison Tod chaired the first executive meeting on September 15, 1980 where incorporation was discussed. Two months later a basic constitution was assembled. The name "Lupus Erythematosus Society of Saskatchewan" (L.E.S.S.) was adopted and the following year saw incorporation completed. The lupin flower logo was designed and the motto "Hope is Growing" adopted in 1983. LESS was on its way! Throughout these thirty years we have seen many changes in venues, Presidents and Boards although several individuals carried on for more than the required term and definitely did more than their share in spite of dealing with the illness that bound them together. One thing that has remained unchanged is in these thirty years is our vision which has been ingrained in the LESS mission since inception, "To provide support for those affected by lupus through understanding, education, public awareness and research."

Initially we established Area Contacts to provide communication with lupus patients, some of whom had not previously met anyone other than their physician who was familiar with the disease. In fact in those early years few people had even heard the term "lupus" and when they did, it conjured up pictures of some mysterious illness that brought despair and even death. Yes, lupus can still prove fatal but research has brought about many measures and drugs that offer relief to so many lupus patients and that may result in long-term remission. In order to fund this research, and to meet their goal of providing education and public awareness, LESS has used its resources and people power for raffles, bingos, craft and bake sales, golf tournaments, barbeques and dances, cookbook sales (our third cookbook is now on the market!) as well as Memorial and General donations. The proceeds have all contributed to the realization of our dream that we will find a cure. In a recent past year, some of our members even assisted at a stock sale where a Charity calf was donated to our Society by 4-H Clubs and the proceeds from this funded Lupus Youth related activities.

So many interesting and worthwhile events take place through LESS, and we hope you, our members, will join us in telling more of our story and how the organization has evolved. If YOU have a story to tell about how any part of LESS or our newsletter has made an impact in your life, please write to idriedger@sasktel.net and less@sasklupus.com. We'd love to hear from you!

By Vi Van Allen, 2009

The seeds of hope for L.E.S.S. were planted in 1979 when a small group of lupins felt a need for a support organization to assist themselves and others with the effects of this chronic illness. On March 4, 1980, Gwen MacDonald, Nurse Educator, and Joni Sereda, Social Worker, sent letters to lupus patients in Saskatchewan inviting them to attend a meeting to organize a support group. On March 19, the meeting was held at the University Hospital in Saskatoon. Forty-five people attended from across Saskatchewan: Saskatoon, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Duck Lake, Watrous, Humboldt, Tisdale, Willowbrook, Leask, Rosetown, Conquest and Caronport, were all represented.

Dr. W.E. DeCoteau, Medical Director of the Rheumatic Diseases Unit at the University Hospital was the first speaker on April 30, 1980. Pat Leece chaired the first executive meeting on June 23, 1980. Five committees were formed: Program Planning; Visitation; Lunch; Publicity; and Newsletter.

Alison Tod chaired the executive meeting on September 15, 1980, at which incorporation was discussed. On November 17, a basic constitution was assembled. The name L.E.S.S. and the original logo were adopted. Incorporation was completed on March 5, 1981. In 1983, Barb Chipperfield designed the lupine flower logo and the motto 'Hope is Growing' was adopted...

By Jocelyn Brock, 1994