LESS SALUTES YOUTH - We commend the youth involved in Lupus Awareness, Education and Fundraising in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Some have lupus and some don't, but they are all working together towards the future vision of 'Life Without Lupus'.

'Butterflies of Hope' Youth Symposium:

The '2004 Charity Steer' donation was made to LESS by the seven Prince Albert area 4-H Clubs, to recognize Bonnie Vaughan, a 4-H supporter with lupus. The donation sparked the idea that resulted in the first Lupus Canada Youth Conference in 2005, and because of it, LESS was able to send two youth representatives. LESS wanted to keep the momentum going, so the first Saskatchewan Youth Symposium, was held October 14 & 15, 2006. Over fifty participants generated an enthusiastic, positive atmosphere. We were excited to welcome four of the young people who were at the first Lupus Canada Youth Conference, and also several, more recently-diagnosed youth, many family members and others wanting to access up-to-date lupus information. They were not disappointed. The high-caliber presentations by Dr. Janet Markland, Dr. Alan Rosenberg, Dr. Suzanne Sheppard, and Facilitators from the Saskatoon Health Region's 'Live Well with Chronic Conditions' program provided invaluable resources. The next LESS Youth Symposium will be held October 13 & 14, 2007, in Saskatoon.

Hudson Bay Composite High Lupus Awareness and Fundraising:

Amy Nagus, whose Aunt Judy has lupus, and her Grade Seven classmates, Miranda Cleaveley, Breanna Olafson, and Monique Cadrain chose Lupus Awareness and Fundraising as their class project. They submitted the following report:

Our grade seven class was learning about setting and carrying out a plan to reach our goals. As a unit project, it was our job to set a goal and make a plan to achieve it. We thought about it and decided that our goal was to raise $50 for Lupus Canada and to raise awareness in our school about the disease. We also found out that the secretary of our school had Lupus. We purchased some Lupus bracelets and pens and started selling. We also sold raffle tickets on a Lupus cookbook. From all of our fundraising, we raised $82.38. We also heard about a Lupus walk a block. It took place during the month of October. The four of us raised money using the pledge sheets. We advertised and invited our classmates to come to the walk. From raising money for the walk, we raised $59.66. When we started this project, people would often ask us, “What’s Lupus?” Now, because of this project, our school now knows what Lupus is. From all of the fundraising that we have done, all together we have raised a total $142.04, not only reaching our goal, but beating it by more than double!

Youth-oriented Essay

Susan Grant has written an essay with youth in mind, entitled, 'Tour of the Center of Activation of Lupus'. It won in the General Category of the 2004, Sylvia Higgins Memorial Essay Awards and may be accessed on the Essay Awards page.

Lupus Canada Youth Leaders Initiative

The first-ever LUPUS CANADA YOUTH CONFERENCE was held June 3, 2005, in conjunction with the LUPUS CANADA 2005 AGM AND SYMPOSIUM, in Ottawa. LESS was able to sponsor two youth representatives, Emily Jarosz and Michelle Heichert, due to the generous donation from the seven Prince Albert 4-H Clubs, which they raised through their 2004 ‘Charity Steer Auction’. We at LESS are very proud to congratulate both these young women for stepping forward and accepting the challenges of becoming Youth Lupus Leaders.