CNMVF Chapter Meeting on November 13th at 6PM

I am happy to announce the next chapter meeting! I made a reservation at the Albuquerque Grill for Thursday, November 13th at 6PM.

This is a social event. We may also take a few minutes to discuss some ideas for awareness events that this chapter can sponsor or participate in the future. This is about getting to know others who understand, and who may benefit from what you know, or who may know something that will help you. Through mutual sharing and support, we all do better.

The restaurant will set up a table for about ten people. We had seven attend our inaugural meeting in August. I will have an announcement sent out by VF national office next week, and if more people RSVP, then I can expand that as needed. To avoid costs I started small.

The Albuquerque Grill is located on Rio Grande Blvd, just off Interstate 40. I chose it because it is close to the center of the city, offered a favorably diverse menu, and is also convenient for our out of town members. The restaurant is attached to the Best Western Rio Grande Inn:

Best Western Rio Grande Inn
1015 Rio Grande Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
Tel: 505-843-9500 | Fax: 505-843-9238
Website: http://www.riograndeinn.com/restaurant.html
Map:

Operation Hours:

Breakfast: 6am – 11am (daily)
Lunch: 11am – 5pm (daily)
Dinner: 5pm – 10pm (daily)

Menus: Downloadable PDF files
Breakfast (247Kb)
Lunch (343Kb)
Dinner (329Kb)

Dress Code: Casual

You can see the door in the photo. Parking is right there in front, or you can also park on the side. There is a hotel layout map online here.

Please RSVP to Joseph Carpenter. See the CNMVF contact page for more info on how to do that.

Hope to see you all there!

I am planning for a certain number, and if it gets bigger, then we can adjust. Please let me know if you plan to come.

: Joseph Carpenter
Email
Albuquerque, NM
CSS Parent, Daughter DX March '08
Celebrating six months without symptoms!
Central NM Chapter - Vasculitis Foundation
http://www.nmvasculitis.org

Chapter Meeting in the works

We were looking at the end of October, but without confirmation of a meeting place it is now too late to keep that date. So, I think we are looking at early to mid November.

I will arrange a place, then select a time. Knowing that whatever we choose will not be perfect for everyone, we will do the best we can, and then keep having meetings.

If you have ideas about when and where we could meet, please send Email to Joseph Carpenter.

I will contact some local restaurants and see about a meeting room. I will also contact the clinics. Some VF chapters have been given access to meeting rooms at the hospitals, so maybe we can swing that too.

Stay tuned for another announcement with more details to follow once we have a place and a time and enough notice to send mail to all the potential chapter members.

Thank you all and I hope to meet you soon,

: Joseph Carpenter
Email
Albuquerque, NM
CSS Parent, Daughter DX March '08
Celebrating six months without symptoms!
Central NM Chapter - Vasculitis Foundation
http://www.nmvasculitis.org

CNMVF October News

Hello everyone!

CHAPTER MEETINGS?
We met August 28, and have not met since. September was busy and some people were traveling. Still, most agree that it is necessary to hold regular meetings, so I will commit to that goal right now.

There was a tentative plan to try for a meeting on October 30, but one thing led to another and that was not confirmed. So it is being rescheduled for November. Chalk it up to growing pains folks, but we must allow enough time to get a mailing out to the VF members who might want to attend.

What is a chapter meeting?
The way I see it, this is basically a social event that is also part support group, and part planning meeting for things we can do to promote awareness and increase education about vasculitis.

Those who attend can and do share their stories and talk about the things that work and don't work to help manage their vasculitis condition or that of a loved one.

It is open to all vasculitis patients, and caregivers, and also to friends and family of patients and caregivers who want to know more, or who have something to contribute. If you were struggling with the question, "What can I do?" then come to a meeting and get some ideas.

VASCULITIS AWARENESS WEEK
For VF Awareness week (September 21-28) this chapter sent announcements regarding the online Webinar that was helpd on September 22. That was a first time effort and there were some issues. I am still waiting new on when it will be rehosted, or when the presentations might be available online. When I know, I will post that in this blog.

Some of that information repeats what was covered at the 2008 Vasculitis Patient Symposium in June 2008. You can get DVDs of many of the various seminars at the Vasculitis Foundation Store.

The other purpose of that announcement was to initiate contact with the rheumatology clinics in Albuquerque. Most did not respond, but we will keep at it until they understand they have resources also. The key to increasing awareness is constant persistent sharing of what we know.

Hey, how about a chapter T-Shirt? People wear this and it draws attention to Vasculitis.

Are you wearing a Vasculitis pin? Maybe a sticker?

Do you have a Vasculitis Foundation bumper sticker or ribbon magnet?

Do you need holiday cards? VF is selling some very nice holiday items right now.

You can get these items at the Vasculitis Foundation Store online. Check that out now and support VF research with your purchases, while also promoting awareness.


NM Vasculitis Doctors
This online resource is growing slowly. We have some of the rheumatologists listed. is your doctor listed? If you know of a doctor, in any field, who has experience treating vasculitis, please take a minute right now, and go fill in the form: NM Vasculitis Doctors Form.

I have already spoken to a woman who had vasculitis symptoms, and struggled without a diagnosis for years. She had no idea where to go. By collecting contact information about vasculitis doctors in New Mexico, I was able to help her get in touch with a doctor who could at least confirm her diagnosis. Of the things we can do, this is a big step in the right direction. Won't you please help?

Happy Halloween everyone!

: Joseph Carpenter
Email
Albuquerque, NM
CSS Parent, Daughter DX March '08
Celebrating six months without symptoms!
Central NM Chapter - Vasculitis Foundation
http://www.nmvasculitis.org

NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH

National Family Caregivers Association
http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/press_room/detail.cfm?num=114

WHITE HOUSE PROCLAIMS NOVEMBER AS NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH

October 2008 — National Family Caregivers Month, 2008 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

During National Family Caregivers Month we recognize and celebrate the many individuals throughout our country who work each day to ensure a better quality of life for their family members. Through their selfless action, these caregivers provide their loved ones support and comfort as they age, combat illness, or suffer from disability.

Our Nation is compassionate, and we believe in the sanctity of life at all stages. Through tireless efforts and inspiring deeds, many Americans care for loved ones in need. By acting as in-home care providers, people across our Nation are helping to ensure that their family members are provided with love, comfort, and security. My Administration has worked to offer caregivers support and training. In 2006, I signed the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006, which established a program to help family caregivers get access to affordable and high-quality respite care. In addition, the National Family Caregiver Support Program encourages cooperation among government agencies and other organizations that support and work with family caregivers.

National Family Caregivers Month is an opportunity to recognize those who serve a cause greater than self and contribute to the well-being of their loved ones. Family caregivers are soldiers in America's armies of compassion and set an inspiring example for their fellow citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2008 as National Family Caregivers Month. I encourage all Americans to honor the selfless service of caregivers who support their loved ones in need.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH