Nearly 1 in 2 people live with an invisible chronic illness and many are coming together this week to increase awareness that they do not feel as well as they may look.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/12/2011 -- Patient bloggers are joining together to bring awareness to invisible illness issues from handicapped parking confrontations to why they hate hearing "You look so good!"

Who would guess that nearly half of the U.S. population lives with a chronic illness? According to a study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation over 133 million people have an illness or condition, most of which are invisible, and many that cause daily pain. This is roughly about 1 in 2 people in the USA.

Illnesses can range from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy to diabetes, multiple sclerosis to fibromyalgia, or painful conditions like back pain and migraines.

Eighty percent of internet users look online for health information, making it the third most popular online pursuit among all those tracked by the Pew Internet Project. And 65% of adults who go online have one or more chronic conditions.* Many of them seeking support, thousands of bloggers now post daily journals about the emotional challenges they face with daily chronic pain.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 12-18, 2011, invites bloggers to have a significant role in the awareness campaign. For example, part of their outreach has been featuring guest bloggers on their own web site invisibleillnessweek.com , as well as inviting bloggers around the globe to commit to blogging about invisible illness issues.

For example, some patient bloggers have shared about being asked to move on a train from seats for those with disabilities, the comments heard when parking in a handicapped spot (legally), and the misunderstandings when you are a young parent with a chronic illness and unable to do all the physical things healthy parents may do.

To help spread the word they have also create a meme, "30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know" that people have posted on Facebook, blogs and other social networks.

Lisa Copen, who founded National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 24 in 1993, and a few years later fibromyalgia. She began the awareness week in 2002. "Although our illnesses and symptoms may vary, we still have a great deal in common. We can learn from one another about coping and finding the balance of taking care of ourselves yet living life to the fullest."

Copen says patient blogs aren&apost depressing like healthy people may assume. "Illness bloggers don&apost typically dwell on the logistics of symptoms, lab tests, or hospital stays. Instead, they write on everyday topics and how their illness impacts their families, finances, careers. They may discuss patient advocacy issues, but they also write about vacationing with an illness or dating when you have a chronic illness."

Hundreds of people have blogged about invisible illness issues in the past two years and Copen&aposs goal is to reach people through 500 blogs in 2011. Each person is encouraged also share something about their illness experience with Facebook friends, a few Twitter posts, or even in the comments section of the http://invisibleillnessweek.com web site.

If you would like to join this unique opportunity to blog for awareness about invisible illnesses, see http://www.invisibleillnessweek.com for details.

* Pew Research Center&aposs Internet & American Life Project, August 9-Sept 13

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/chronic/illness/sbwire-106981.htm

Virtual conference, September 12-17, offers opportunity for those with illness to "attend" without traveling, expenses, or mobility issues.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2010 -- National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is September 12-19, 2010 and this week, Monday through Friday, the campaign features a virtual conference with one 90-minute seminar each day.

Listeners can log on to http://InvisibleIllnessConference.com to listen LIVE or later to the archived audio file. The seminars will also be available at itunes.com . To listen live, log on during September 13-17, 10:30 – 12 Pacific time; 12:30-2 PM Central time; or 1:30 PM – 3 PM Eastern time.

Topics include coping with illness, parenting, getting organized, relationships, setting boundaries, working, and of course, the whole "invisible" illness issues. Participants include best-selling author Pam Farrel, chronic illness coach Rosaline Joffe, and popular patient advocates Christine Miserandino or butyoudontlooksick.com and Jenny Prokopy of chronicbabe.com .

Over 20 speakers from all over the country come together to provide amazing workshops that are rarely available for those with illness who are unable to travel far for a conference or sit for extended periods of time.

The host of the show is Invisible Illness Week founder, Lisa Copen, who began this week in 2002 and has produced it each year since then. Lisa is the founder of Rest Ministries which serves the chronically ill and author of many books on chronic illness, including, "Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend."

Invisible Illness Week offers many other ways to get involved including blogging for the cause, sharing invisible illness week facts on Twitter or Facebook, a Facebook cause page, and leaving anonymous sticky notes in honor of the campaign&aposs theme, "Each One Can Reach One."

To find out more visit the web site http://InvisibleIllnessWeek.com .

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/national-invisible-illness-week-features-virtual-conference-this-week-56391.htm

Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill, is the sponsor of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 13-19, 2010.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/09/2010 -- Lisa Copen, 41, began Rest Ministries in 1996 following a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. "I was looking for a way to connect with others who were living with a chronic condition, for encouragement and support for what my life may hold," says Copen.

After a few years of networking people who live with chronic conditions through online ministry and support groups in churches called HopeKeepers(R), Copen saw many people who were suffering from feeling misunderstood.

"Even those who coped the best with their physical limitations had a lot of emotions about feeling like no one understood how great the pain was," shares Copen. "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week was a way to be able to validate the pain people were feeling, and create more awareness overall, including in the faith communities."

Many participants are having resource tables at their churches during Invisible Illness Week. Support groups are having community events and a lot of people are participating in online activities, including a virtual conference September 13-17 via Blog Talk Radio and blogging for the cause.

When you sign up for daily updates from InvisibleIllnessWeek.com you receive a free 80-page ebook written by Copen and other illness experts, "Chronic Illness Tips: 263 Ways to do More Than Just Get By."

Rest Ministries provides a variety of resources and programs such as online daily devotionals one can receive via email. Copen has authored a dozen books for the ministry such as "Why Can&apost I Make People Understand? Discovering The Validation Those with Chronic Illness Seek and Why."

With nearly 1 in 2 people living with a chronic condition, about 96% of those people are suffering silently with invisible illnesses where their pain cannot be seen.

Through Invisible Illness Week Rest Ministries hopes to let people know they are not alone and that someone does understand and care about their struggles.

Rest Ministries is an affiliate of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, the ministry of Joni Eareckson Tada. Copen is a popular speaker who has been a guest on TV programs such as "Heroes Among Us" and "Peace in The Storm," and radio programs Family Radio, Joni and Friends, and Billy Graham&aposs Decision Today.

For information:http://www.InvisibleIllnessWeek.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-56069.htm

20 Experts share their best tips about living with a chronic illness, from coping with illness and relationship tips to travel and homeschooling.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/01/2010 -- National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is September 13-19, 2010. A free 80-page ebook is now available for download to anyone who signs up for daily updates from the web site invisibleillnessweek.com .

"Chronic Illness Tips: 263 Ways To Do More Than Just Get By" is by Invisible Illness Week founder, Lisa Copen and friends. Friends include chronic illness career specialist Rosalind Joffe, relationship expert and best-selling author Pam Farrel, advocacy authority Jennifer Jaff, and illness advocate Jenni Prokopy of ChronicBabe.

Over 20 contributors share their best tips to live successfully with chronic illness on a variety of topic. "These experts are people who have the credentials," says author Lisa Copen, "but more importantly, they have experienced illness themselves or health issues of someone close to them. Their tips come from the experience of living with the challenges illness gives us." The chapters include coping tools, relationship issues, career, faith, and practical tips, from traveling with an illness to homeschooling. There are also many tips on how to encourage someone who lives with a chronic illness.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is an annual event that features a free virtual conference online 9/13-17 with speakers each morning 10:30 - 12 USA Pacific time. There are a variety of ways a person can get involved including blogging for the cause, completing the Meme "30 Things You May Not Know About My Invisible Illness", or joining the campaign on Facebook.

With nearly 1 in 2 people living with a chronic condition, about 96% of those people are suffering silently with invisible illnesses.

For more information see http://InvisibleIllnessWeek.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/invisible-illness-week-team-offers-free-ebook-of-263-tips-55366.htm

Patient bloggers are one of the most passionate groups of social media users who have the opportunity to blog about living with any chronic illness, especially those living with invisible illness.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/31/2010 -- National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, established in 2002, is September 13-19, 2010 and bloggers are a driving force behind the campaign&aposs success.

"The patient bloggers who participate by using their blogs as a platform to educate and increase awareness is the reason we are able to reach so many people on virtually no budget" shares Invisible Illness Week coordinator and founder, Lisa Copen. "Patient bloggers, as well as those who are health advocates, are some of the most active participants in social media and the causes they care about."

InvisibleIllnessWeek.com features daily guest bloggers through September 19th that focus on a variety of topics that impact the lives of those who are chronically ill. These include being the spouse of one with illness, learning how to ask for help, and being a part of the patient community.

Anyone can participate by blogging about living with a chronic illness, especially the invisibility factor. Participants are encouraged to sign up with Bloggers Unite Invisible Illness Week&aposs event at http://ow.ly/2wOzV so that readers can easily find the blogs. Bloggers can also download the badge that declares their intent to blog about Invisible Illness Week or personal issues of living with an illness.

Many bloggers are also participating in the Invisible Illness Week Meme, "30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know." This year&aposs theme, "Each One Can Reach One" encourages people to leave anonymous notes of encouragement, so bloggers are also posting photos of their notes on their blogs.

During Invisible Illness Week people can listen to seminars featuring panels of experts on a variety of topics via Blog Talk Radio. For more details visit InvisibleIllnessWeek.com . The event is sponsored by Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/invisible-illness-week-bloggers-driving-force-behind-awareness-campaign-55101.htm

One of the fastest growing ways for people to share the things they care about, including how health and illness issues impact their daily living, is through social media networks such as Facebook. Invisible Illness Week provides opportunities to connect with others to gain mutual support.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/24/2010 -- National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is September 13-19, 2010 and so far thousands of participants are showing their support through the social network, Facebook, the second largest site on the internet according to Alexa.com.

Lisa Copen, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, which she established in 2002, says, "In 2009 our nonprofit organization included Facebook for the first time in our awareness campaign and the results had a significant impact we could not have imagined."

Copen explains that when people who live with chronic invisible illness join an Invisible Illness Week group, a "Cause" or "Like" a page, it is a non-intrusive way of saying, "This is something that personally affects my life and that I care about."

According to Copen, bBefore social media, many people expressed that it was uncomfortable to email their friends or family illness-awareness related materials without creating feelings of being pushy or critical of their responses to illness. Now, by joining a cause on Facebook and inviting friends to join, it is much simpler to create awareness about daily life with invisible chronic pain.

It is particularly enlightening when someone with an illness invites friends to join the Invisible Illness Week Cause, and discovers how many friends are also suffering silently from conditions such as chronic migraines or fibromyalgia. "Sometimes those of us with illness forget that we may have loved ones who are also silently coping with invisible chronic conditions," says Copen.

Approximately 7000 thousand people are a part of Invisible Illness Week&aposs presence on Facebook and Copen says she would love to see this number continue to grow. "We have some amazing articles, guest bloggers, and seminars that will help people know they are not alone in their pain and how to deal with the daily part of it even better."

With nearly 1 in 2 Americans coping with a chronic condition, they are not alone, but the invisibility factor can make it feel that way.

To join one of Invisible Illness Week&aposs Facebook groups, causes or more see http://InvisibleIllnessOnFacebook.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/facebook-brings-those-with-chronic-illness-together-for-invisible-illness-week-54480.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/10/2010 -- National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week kicks off awareness efforts by spreading anonymous notes around the USA and beyond that will bring encouragement to those suffering silently. Invisible Illness Week, September 13-19, 2010 is an annual event sponsored by Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill.

When Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries and Invisible Illness Week, had 4 joints replaced in her left hand during the winter of 2009 due to rheumatoid arthritis, she wore a scary looking outrigger splint for four months, 24 hours a day, that caught the attention of many people wherever she went. While some people awkwardly looked the other way, many approached her and started to share their stories.

Lisa quickly realized just how many people are inwardly suffering silently and then when they saw someone who they thought could relate with their pain, they opened up and were willing to share. Many conversations ended with a hug and sometimes a few tears. She had also talked with friends about how, when she saw someone with an invisible illness getting out of a car parked in a handicapped spot, part of her wanted to go over and just say "I understand" but she was afraid how they may respond. She discovered other people with invisible illness felt the same way!

Copen shares, "Most people are not looking for large support groups or 100 percent understanding when it comes to living with a chronic illness. People in pain often times just want ONE person who really &aposgets it.&apos And that one person can make a world of difference."

Notes may say "If you are wondering if someone cares, someone does," or "Your pain may be invisible, but you are seen! Hang in there!" and then followed with the web site invisibleillness.com.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, which Copen began in 2002, will make 2010 the year of "Each One Can Reach One." Thousands of people around the world are participating by leaving encouraging sticky notes anywhere they think of, from bathroom mirrors and community bulletin boards, to inside of envelopes when they pay their bills.

With nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA living with a chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, or fibromyalgia, about 96% of illnesses are invisible.* The hope of the people involved at National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is to remind people that although they may feel like they are alone in their pain, there are people who do care and understand the unspoken language of invisible illness.

It is easy to get involved. Grab a pen and some paper and share some encouragement in just a sentence! Add invisibleillness.com at the bottom so those who find the notes nowhere to discover more encouragement and get involved too!

Bloggers and the patient community will be participating in additional ways including blogging about invisible illnesses and conditions and attending virtual seminars online during the week of September 13-19.

*http://invisibleillnessweek.com/media-toolkit/statistics/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/invisible-illness-week-seeks-to-encourage-through-anonymous-notes-of-kindness-53161.htm

Through an online virtual conference Rest Ministries plans to give people who suffering silently with chronic illness hope and tools despite their pain.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2009 -- Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA live with a chronic illness and about 96% of these illnesses are invisible.* Rest Ministries, Inc., the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill, and an affiliate of Joni Eareckson Tada’s International Disability Ministry, is encouraging those with illness, friends, family, caregivers, and churches to get involved in their annual outreach, National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 14-20, 2009.

In addition to churches having outreach events for those with chronic conditions, Rest Ministries organizes a 5-day free virtual conference with 20 seminars that can be attended via one’s computer and computer speakers. Seminars are on a variety of topics including marriage, parenting, starting a business, how to apply for disability and more—all when you live with a chronic illness. The seminars are held via Blog Talk Radio and listeners can call in through their phone line with questions.

Well known Christian authors who will be presenting include:

• Bill and Pam Farrel, best-selling authors; The Marriage Code (Harvest House, 2009)
• Naomi Kingery, author of Sugar Free Me (Xulon Press, 2008)
• Dena Dyer, author of Mothers of the Bible (Barbour Publishing, 2009)
• Georgia Shaffer, author of How Not to Date a Loser (Harvest House, 2008)
• Joanna Faillace, Certified Biblical Health Coach an author of Super-Naturally Healthy Families Cookbook Devotional
• Lisa Copen, author of Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend (Rest Publishers, 2008)
• Maureen Pratt, author of Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness (Galilee Trade, 2005)
• Jennifer Saake, author of Hannah’s Hope: Seeking God&aposs Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage and Adoption Loss (NavPress, 2005)
• Marcia Ramsland, author of Simplify Your Life (Thomas Nelson, 2004)
• Jolene Philo, author of A Different Dream for My Child (Discovery House Publishers 2009)

Lisa Copen, 40, founder of Rest Ministries says, “Many Christians may have a solid walk with the Lord, but the emotional rollercoaster of a chronic illness and its constant progression can leave them feeling alone and misunderstood. They are hanging on by a thread and being told they look fine and should just make themselves get up and go to church only adds to the isolation and bitterness of others ‘not getting it.’ The emotional scars can be harder to cope with than the actual illness.”

Copen, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia since the age of twenty-four, ended up in the hospital for a week last fall fighting off the flesh eating bacteria in an ankle wound. We never know what the next day will hold,” she explains. “It is so important that there is good communication between those who are ill and their loved ones, as well as the church body.”

Did Copen’s circle of friends and church come through for her? “It was an enlightening experience,” she says. “Although I teach others to ask for help, I found out how difficult it is. And then when I did ask for help, I experienced what it is like when you fall through the cracks and everyone thinks someone else is providing both the practical support as well as emotional encouragement.”

Rest Ministries extends their outreach about invisible illness awareness to churches, providing materials to start up HopeKeepers groups, books, cards, tracts, etc. About 96% of those with illness may appear perfectly healthy on Sunday mornings, but may struggle to get out of bed the remainder of the week.

Ken Chambers, Director of Church Relations at Joni and Friends International Disability Center, says, “It is vital that Christians understand the emotional and spiritual trials of those with invisible disabilities, as well as those with visible disabilities. I encourage church leaders to take advantage of the wealth of resources at Rest Ministries and to participate in the National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, which they sponsor annually.”

One can get involved by joining the hundreds of bloggers who are writing about illness in the next few days, by joining the cause on Facebook, and most especially, by tuning in for the conference. All seminars will also be recorded and archived.

See http;//http://www.invisibleillness.com for more information or http://www.restministries.org for the sponsor of this event, Rest Ministries.

*Source: Chronic Care in America, U.S. Census Bureau

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/christian-illness-ministry-sponsors-5-day-virtual-conference-online-31716.htm

Patient bloggers band together to bring awareness to invisible illness issues from handicapped parking confrontations to why they hate hearing "You look so good!"

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/10/2009 -- Who would guess that nearly half of the U.S. population lives with a chronic illness? But according to a study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation over 133 million people have an illness or condition, most of which are invisible, and many that cause daily pain. Illnesses can range from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy to diabetes, multiple sclerosis to fibromyalgia, or painful conditions like back pain and migraines.

With 75 percent of internet users using the internet for health information (Pew Internet Project, 8/08) and many of them seeking support, thousands of bloggers now post daily journals about the emotional challenges they face with daily chronic pain.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 14-20, 2009, invites bloggers to have a significant role in their awareness campaign. For example, part of their outreach has been featuring guest bloggers on their own web site invisibleillnessweek.com , as well as inviting bloggers around the globe to commit to blogging about invisible illness issues. To help spread the word they have also create a meme, “30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know” that people have posted on Facebook, blogs and other social networks.

Lisa Copen, who founded National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week in 2002 says, “Though our illnesses and symptoms may vary, we still have a great deal in common. We can learn from one another about coping and finding the balance of taking care of ourselves yet living life to the fullest.” Copen says patient blogs aren’t depressing like healthy people may assume. “Illness bloggers don’t typically dwell on the logistics of symptoms, lab tests, or hospital stays. Instead, they write on everyday topics and how their illness impacts their families, finances, careers. They may discuss patient advocacy issues, but they also write about vacationing with an illness or dating when you have a chronic illness.”

Invisible Illness Week was recently the host of Grand Rounds, the largest medical blog carnival on the internet.

Over 300 people have officially committed to blogging for Invisible Illness Week so far and many are sharing on their Facebook notes page or other social network. Copen encourages those who do not have a blog to shares something about their illness with Facebook friends, a few Twitter posts, or even in the comments section of the http://invisibleillnessweek.com web site.

If you would like to join this unique opportunity to blog for awareness about invisible illnesses, see http://www.invisibleillnessweek.com for details. Invisible Illness Week’s highlight is a 5-day virtual conference with 20 speakers that can be heard online for free on a topics such as marriage with illness, applying for disability, setting boundaries, and when your child is ill.

Copen is also the founder of Rest Ministries which sponsors the event and http://IllnessTwitters.ning.com for anyone who “tweets” on health or medical conditions.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/chronically-ill-unite-september-14-to-blog-about-invisible-illness-issues-31594.htm

A virtual conference is not the results of budget cuts for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, but the result of what benefits the most people who live with illness.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/09/2009 -- Hard beds, traveling expenses, long walks to conference rooms, peers going overboard on the perfume, and extreme fatigue are predictably part of your average conference. For the chronically ill, however, these inconveniences oftentimes make attending an actual conference impossible. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week celebrates its seventh year, and with the power of social networking, 009’s “virtual” conference September 14-18, 2009 is sure to be a success.

“I can only leave the house once a week, twice if I am really lucky, so a week long conference is normally impossible for me,” says Juliann Krute who lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and many other illnesses. “Having a conference that I can attend—even if I am in too much pain to get out of bed—is fantastic!”

The conference will feature twenty live seminars via Blog Talk Radio that anyone around the globe can listen to LIVE or archived. The 2008 workshops have had over 12,000 listeners and are also available on iTunes.

Topics for 2009’s conference include:

• Applying and Winning Disability Assistance When You Are Chronically Ill
• Managing College with a Chronic Illness
• Find the Job You Desire and Can Do
• It’s OK to say NO: Building Healthy Boundaries
• Coping with Chronic Illness in Your Marriage

Guest speakers are some of the top chronic illness advocates online today including Jenni Prokopy of chronicababe.com; Rosalind Joffe of keepworkinggirlfriend.com; Maureen Pratt, author of Peace in the Storm, and Christine Miserandino of butyoudontlooksick.com. They are joined by.Kelly Rouba, former Ms. Wheelchair NJ 2007, and best-selling authors on marriage, Bill and Pam Farrel.

Invisible Illness Week was founded by and is sponsored by Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill.

Lisa Copen, 40, founder of Rest Ministries and creator behind National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week says, “Regardless of where one’s spiritual ties are, there is an fundamental human desire to feel understood, to feel like those you love have some idea about what you are going through.” Copen, who is explored this in her book Why Can’t I Make People Understand: Discovering the Validation Those With Chronic Illness Seek and Why says, “One of the most difficult adjustments to illness is that you feel life is passing you by and no one around you even realizes it. We hope through our conference we can provide a place where people find the true source of being validated in their pain, how to live joyfully despite their illness, and of course, we want to increase awareness about how many suffer silently. Like our theme says, ‘A Little Help Gives a Lot of Hope.’ It really does.”

For more details about the free conference and other resources visit http://www.invisibleillnessweek.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/chronically-ill-are-perfect-audience-for-virtual-conference-september-14-18-31482.htm

September 14-20 features virtual conference, blogging for a cause and many ways to increase awareness

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/08/2009 -- Did you know that nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA have a chronic illness?* And despite assumptions that most illnesses are a mild inconvenience, if you ask those who live with a disease or chronic pain, you will find it drastically changes their lives. An invisible illness can be a disease that is nearly always unseen like chronic fatigue syndrome (CFIDS) or heart disease to one that progresses from invisible to visible, such as multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis. One thing is certain: those with chronic illness desire to connect with one another and live life to the fullest. . . but they may not be able to travel and sit through a typical conference.

This is where National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 14-20, 2009 excels, offering a 5-day virtual conference, where all speakers are available to listen to LIVE or later (all session are archived.) Monday through Friday, 9/14-9/18, anyone can log on to http://www.invisibleillnessweek.com and hear illness experts 4 times a day and even call in with their questions after the presentations. Last year’s shows have had over 12,000 listeners and are also available on iTunes.

There are a wide variety of topics including:

• Finding Health Insurance Coverage with a Pre-existing Condition
• Coping with Chronic Illness in Your Marriage
• Having Your Own Business When You Are Chronically Ill
• Simplifying Your Home and Housework
• Parenting When You are Chronically Ill - Chaos and Confessions

The theme this year is "A Little Help Gives a Lot of Hope." Thousands of people have joined the cause through social media tools like blogging for the cause, a blog tour, a Facebook Cause and fan page, and Twittering about the event with the hashtag #iiwk09.

Lisa Copen, 40, is the founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and has lived with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia for sixteen years since the age of 24.

“We all live with a variety of symptoms and the severity of the pain often changes or moves from one area to another on a daily basis,” says Copen. “But there is an underlying feeling that those we love the most don’t fully comprehend what we cope with minute to minute or the choices we make just to ‘have a life’. This can be more devastating to some than the actual physical pain.”

Copen, who was the recipient of the Audience Choice Our Bodies Ourselves Women’s Health Hero Award this spring says, “We hope to unite some of the millions of people who live with chronic pain and illness silently by offering an oasis of hope and understanding. Illness is never fun, but we hope to connect people to encourage one another, as well as host some fabulous workshops to help people live their best life possible.”

For details visit the web site, http://www.invisibleillnessweek.com

*Source: Chronic Care in America: A 21st Century Challenge Revised

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/invisible-illness-week-features-virtual-conference-and-fresh-awareness-31481.htm

Lisa Copen, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and Rest Ministries, a Christian ministry for those who live with illness, announces her newest venture this week, “Illness Twitters” at www.illnesstwitters.ning.com .

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/10/2009 -- With an estimated 6 million Twitter users (3.8% of those online)* and about 1 in 2 Americans having a chronic illness, the opportunity for people to connect about health and illness issues grows exponentially each day. With an estimated 6 million Twitter users (3.8 % of those online)* and about 1 in 2 Americans having a chronic illness, the opportunity for people to connect about health and illness issues grows exponentially each day. Lisa Copen, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and Rest Ministries, a Christian ministry for those who live with illness, announces her newest venture this week, “Illness Twitters” at http://www.illnesstwitters.ning.com .

“While connecting with the various audiences that twitter on illness topics for Invisible Illness Week I kept seeing a need for some kind of hub where we all could find each other. There are thousands of people who blog and Twitter on autism, cancer, endometriosis, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, panic disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and more. We can each help each other bring awareness to our cause and more.”

According to a report by comScore 45-54 year olds are the top demographic using Twitter and seniors aren’t far behind. The potential to be influential in the online community on behalf of both patients and professionals is enormous and growing daily.

Copen plans to have various groups on the social network that meet the needs of those who Twitter about illness or medical issues, such as listing yourself to review products, finding blogs who need guest authors, authors who twitter, parents who are ill, ill dads who twitter, things to retweet, people willing to review items, etc. Copen hopes it will be an easy way for people with similar interests to find one another and also create more resources for patients, including ebooks, podcasts, and special seminars.

Copen recently won the award of “Women’s Health Hero for Our Bodies Ourselves: Audience Choice.” I hope this is one way I can give back to all the amazing women who are active in increasing awareness for womens health causes.

Some top illness experts have already joined including Jenni Prokopy of chronicbabe.com, Rosalind Joffe of cicoach.com and Nancy Jay of patientallies.com. Anyone is welcome including patients, doctors, counselors, coaches, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, etc.

And if you want to announce it, here is what to tweet!

RT @invisibleillwk Do U Twitter re: illness, health, medical issues? Join new Illness Twitter social network http://illnesstwitters.ning.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/illness-and-medical-twitters-get-a-new-social-network-29408.htm

She hopes nomination brings more attention to Invisible Illness

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/04/2009 -- Lisa Copen, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, is honored to be nominated for the Womens Health Hero award given by Our Bodies Ourselves. The deadline to vote is May 8, 2009 and the award winner will be announced May 11, 2009.

Lisa began Rest Ministries in 1997 after searching for a chronic illness support organization that also had a Christian foundation. In 2002, in an effort to bring together people who were hurting and feeling disheartened because no one understand that they “looked good” but felt terrible, Copen began National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week.

According to various studies, about 1 in 2 people in the USA live with a chronic illness or a condition like back pain or migraines.

You can vote for Lisa at http://ow.ly/54yt .

This year, NICIAW will be held Sept 14-20, 2009 and features a 5-day virtual conference with 20 online guest speakers. Last year’s conference workshops can be heard at http://www.invisibleillness.com and is also available through itunes as a free podcast download.

Copen was nominated by Kara Marks Valeri, her assistant, whom Lisa has never actually met. Lisa lives in San Diego, CA and Kara in Oklahoma. “It’s very humbling to read about how I have been able to bring comfort to women through Rest Ministries and Invisible Illness Week all over the world,” says Copen. “I am honored to be a part of the awards nomination of Our Bodies Ourselves, but mostly excited because it will let more women who suffer silently from invisible illnesses know that they are no longer alone.”

Voting ends May 8, 2009. To vote for Lisa “click on the stars” at http://ow.ly/54yt .

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/founder-of-invisible-illness-week-nominated-for-womens-health-hero-award-27514.htm

Free online seminars offer chronically ill a chance to attend a "virtual conference" from comfort of their own home.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/10/2008 -- Living with an illness that no one can see can be one of the most difficult parts of learning to effectively live with daily pain. “The lives of everyone around us are impacted by our level of pain on any given day,” says National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week founder, Lisa Copen. “Having an illness that is has unpredictable side effects hour to hour can put one on an emotional roller coaster, as well as cause his or her loved ones to sometimes doubt the severity of the illness.”

Twenty free online seminars this week, September 8-14, 2008, will help those with illness learn how to more efficiently manage their illness, including the emotions that come with it. Each 45-minute seminar will be live via Blog Talk Radio at http://www.invisibleillnessconference.com. Some of these include:

"Healthy Boundaries with a Chronic Illness" will be presented by Shelley Echtle, the director of the North Texas Fibromyalgia Support Group with over 200 members. She believes healthy boundaries in a healthy life are important, especially when you are chronically ill! Shelley suffers with fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, hypothyroidism and arthritis. (Tuesday, Sept 9, 5:30 p.m., pacific)

"After the Diagnosis: The Journey Beyond" features Trish Robichaud. a Disability Awareness Coach, Maximum Life & Business Coach & Motivational Speaker. She lives with major depression and multiple sclerosis. She is joined by Jeff Cadwell, a Professionally Certified Life Coach, radio show host, speaker and author, who also lives with multiple sclerosis. (Thursday, Sept 11, 12 p.m. pacific)

"Get out of Bed!" is the presentation given by Linda Lundy, a Competition Cheer Judge/Instructor and cancer survivor. We’ve all had those days we want to just throw the covers back over our head, but Linda will motivate you to stay the course. She also lives with a pituitary adenoma; which brings with it fibromyalgia, a non-functioning thyroid, migraines, etc. She says, "I know how to put one foot in front of the other and keep going!" (Friday, Sept 12, 9 a.m. pacific)

All seminars will be hosted via Blog Talk Radio for forty-five minutes, and listeners can call in with questions during the last fifteen minutes. See dates and times for additional seminars at http://www.invisibleillness.com, which will be recorded and archived.

Many guests have donated free items or services, which will be given away in prize drawings. Bloggers are invited to participate by blogging on invisible illness topics September 8-12, 2008 and to download the “I’m blogging for Invisible Illness Awareness” badge from http://www.invisbleillnessblog.com .

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week was launched in 2002 by Lisa Copen, author of “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend.” It is held annually in September and is sponsored by Rest Ministries, Inc., the largest Christian organization that serve the chronically ill.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/chronically-ill-find-effect-coping-tools-during-invisible-illness-week-workshops-21333.htm

Too often young people with illness hear, "you're too young to be that sick." Uh.... no. Unfortunately, one is never too young to be sick.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/10/2008 -- “You’re much too young to be so ill!? “Well, don’t look better! I’m so glad you’re illness has passed.” “Hey, let’s go to the football game on Saturday and then afterwards there is a party you just have to come to!” “You’re in the hospital again? What’s wrong now?”

If you are in your twenties or thirties, chances are you’ve heard a few of those comments and felt a twinge of awareness of just how different life is at twenty-five with an illness versus being twenty-five and being healthy.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is featuring twenty free online seminars this week, September 8-14, 2008, to encourage those who live with illness, and provide tools in learning how to best manage their illness, including some of those emotions that come with it. Each 45-minute seminar will be live via Blog Talk Radio at http://www.invisibleillnessconference.com.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is honored to have some of the best chronic illness advocates—who happen to be under the age of forty—participating in their guest line up.

“Overcoming Self-Defeating Behaviors” will be presented by Jenny Prokopy, founder of ChronicBabe.com, a web site that reaches thousands of women with message of hope, teaching them how to maintain a sense of self despite health-related limitations. “I love helping others,” says Jenni, “and I know I have a commanding message of hope and inspiration to share.” (Wednesday, Sept 10, 12 p.m. pacific)

“Friendships, Dating and Marriage: Can it All Come Together When You are Young and Chronically Ill” is a workshop not to be missed! Laurie Edwards, author of the new book, “Life Disrupted: Getting Real About Chronic Illness in Your Twenties and Thirties” (Walker) is also the founder of AChronicDose.com. She teaches writing for the health professions at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Living with illness since her childhood, she gives a unique perspective to everything from dating to the struggle to emotionally separate from her parents. (Friday, Sept 12, 3 p.m., pacific)

Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 24, founder of Invisible Illness Week, Lisa Copen sees these workshops as a vital part of reaching out to the needs of the chronically ill. “When I was diagnosed and attending support groups, everyone I met who had arthritis was in their sixties or older. It felt very lonely, as well as difficult to make life-altering decisions about careers, marriage and more, all with the new influence of an unpredictable illness.”

All seminars will be hosted via Blog Talk Radio for forty-five minutes, and listeners can call in with questions during the last fifteen minutes. See dates and times for additional seminars at http://www.invisibleillness.com, which will be recorded and archived.

Many guests have donated free items or services, which will be given away in prize drawings. Bloggers are invited to participate by blogging on invisible illness topics September 8-12, 2008 and to download the “I’m blogging for Invisible Illness Awareness” badge from http://www.invisbleillnessblog.com .

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week was launched in 2002 by Lisa Copen, author of “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend.” It is held annually in September and is sponsored by Rest Ministries, Inc., the largest Christian organization that serve the chronically ill.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/invisible-illness-week-seminars-reach-out-to-people-in-twenties-and-thirties-21332.htm

Online seminars wonderful option for chronically ill who are unable to travel.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/09/2008 -- Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA have a chronic illness and about 96% of it is invisible.* With the knowledge that this number is continuing to grow as our population ages, National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week offers three workshops that focus on coping mechanisms and emotional support.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is featuring twenty free online seminars this week, September 8-14, 2008, to encourage those who live with illness, and provide tools in learning how to best manage their illness, including some of those emotions that come with it. Each 45-minute seminar will be live via Blog Talk Radio at http://www.invisibleillnessconference.com.

"The Overwhelmed Woman’s (and Men’s) Guide to Caring for Aging Parents" will be presented by Julie-Allyson Ieron, who has a new book out with a similar titles. She is a conference speaker and author and says her book is a project she not only wrote, but lives on a daily basis. Julie will also discuss how to be an effective caregiver when you are also living with a chronic illness. (Thursday, Sept 11, 9 a.m., pacific)

"How You Can Help Those Who Help You! "is a topic close to the heart of Jo Franz. Jo is a conference/retreat speaker whose memoir “Soar Unafraid: Learning to Trust No Matter What” is the inspiring topic on frequent radio and TV programs. Though she has lived with multiple sclerosis since 1977 her life has been full of adventure. Her never-give-up attitude is a source of encouragement and blessing to those living with chronic illness as well as those who do not. (Tuesday, Sept 9, 3 p.m., pacific)

"Illness and Faith: Does Faith Make a Difference?" is a topic tackled by Michele Williams, who has lived with chronic illness for over 23 years. Have a husband who is a pastor has also placed her in the ministry position where she has ministered to many people with some form of chronic illness and even death. Unfortunately, she’s learned first-hand how a family can experience illness. Her daughter was recently diagnosed with autoimmune hives and fibromyalgia, and suffers with bipolar disorder along with her 13-year-old son. “I do not know how I would have been able to go through any of this without my faith. My faith has brought me through some very difficult times." (Friday, Sept 12, 12 p.m., pacific)

"Support Groups: The Changes and Challenges They Will Bring to Your Life" will be presented by Christina J. Werdebaugh, the Director and Support Group Leader of the West Virginia IC Resource Center. Support groups have their ups and downs, challenges and blessings. Join Christina to learn more about how they can be an effective tool for coping with chronic illness. (Wednesday, Sept 10, 5:30 p.m. pacific)

All seminars will be hosted via Blog Talk Radio for forty-five minutes, and listeners can call in with questions during the last fifteen minutes. See dates and times for additional seminars at http://www.invisibleillness.com, which will be recorded and archived.

Many guests have donated free items or services, which will be given away in prize drawings. Bloggers are invited to participate by blogging on invisible illness topics September 8-12, 2008 and to download the “I’m blogging for Invisible Illness Awareness” badge from http://www.invisbleillnessblog.com .

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week was launched in 2002 by Lisa Copen, author of “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend.” It is held annually in September and is sponsored by Rest Ministries, Inc., the largest Christian organization that serve the chronically ill.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/care-giving-faith-and-support-groups-seminars-offered-during-invisible-illness-week-21331.htm

Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA have a chronic illness, over 133 million. Where do they turn for encouragment when times get tough? One way it to attend some of the workshops online that National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week sponsors September 8-12,

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/09/2008 -- One of the most challenging parts of living with a chronic illness is that it’s just so daily! This week is National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 8-14, and they are offering twenty free online seminars hosted by some of the leading illness experts that can help you cope better with life issues. People of all faiths are welcome to attend; a few of the “coping” workshops, however, have Christian authors who turn to the Bible as their foundation for truly understanding how to best cope with daily pain and illness. These include:

• Stress-Busters that Work: Faithful and Fun Ways to Lessen Stress and Encourage Hope and Health will be presented by Maureen Pratt, well-known author of Peace in the Storm: Meditations of Chronic Pain and Illness. For more than ten years, Maureen has written and spoken about health, prayer, faith, and living with chronic illness and pain. She has also lived most of her life "in the trenches" as a patient who has a number of illnesses. (Monday, 3 p.m. pacific)

• Dealing with Hurt Feelings and Mixed Up Emotions will be discussed with Leslie Vernick, a counselor who focuses on improving one’s relationships with others, God and self, teaching people how to address conflict, speak the truth in love, handle adversity in a God-centered way and negotiate through difficult and destructive relationships with biblical principles. Her most recent book is The Emotionally Destructive Relationship. (Monday, 12 p.m., pacific)

• Medications, Illness, Fertility and the Desire for Motherhood will be presented by Jennifer Saake, author of Hannah’s Hope. Jennifer has lived 18 years of illness, with infertility for 10 of those years. Balancing both conditions includes: medication side effects (illness meds on fertility and fertility meds on illness), questioning sanity of wanting desperately to have children yet fearing how she would care for them when she can hardly care for herself, facing the frustration of attempting adoption when her health makes her less "marketable." (Tuesday, 12 p.m. pacific)

All seminars will be featured live via Blog Talk Radio for forty-five
minutes, with questions from callers taken the last fifteen minutes. See dates and times for additional seminars at http://www.invisibleillness.com, which will be recorded and archived.

Many guests have donated free items or services, which will be given away in prize drawings. Bloggers are invited to participate by blogging on invisible illness topics September 8-12, 2008 and to download the “I’m blogging for Invisible Illness Awareness” badge from http://www.invisbleillnessblog.com .

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week was launched in 2002 by Lisa Copen, author of “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend.” It is held annually in September and is sponsored by Rest Ministries, Inc., the largest Christian organization that serve the chronically ill.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/chronically-ill-will-find-encouragement-during-invisible-illness-weeks-workshops-21277.htm

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is offering twenty free online seminars this week with well-known experts in the areas of patient rights, how to win disability cases (even with invisible illnesses) and financial planning when you are chronically ill.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/08/2008 -- For the 133 million people who live with chronic illness, the ability to travel and sit through multiple seminars to learn how to manage the financial aspect of their illness is slim.

This week, however, with twenty online seminars, hosted by National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 8-14, people can discover some answers to those big questions about medical bills, rights and disability assistance. Seminars include:

• Secrets of Paying for Medical Care will be presented by Jacqueline L. Jones, author of Unmasking a Diagnosis: How to Find Help for a Confusing Illness Without Filing for Bankruptcy. Stricken with disabling pain and fatigue, which interrupted a promising career as a journalist, Jones spent more than twenty years searching for the answers she needed to survive. Her practical system will teach you how to save time and money in seeking help for a chronic illness. (Monday, 5:30 p.m. pacific)

• The Civil Rights of Patients with Invisible Chronic Illnesses will feature guest, Jennifer C. Jaff, Esq., Founder of Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness and author of Know Your Rights: A Handbook for Patients with Chronic Illness,. A 1984 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, when her disease disabled her and she turned her skills towards the internet and found a community of chronically ill patients in desperate need of legal advice and help. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. pacific)

• What You Need to Know About Applying for Disability will be taught one of our nation&aposs legal specialists in representing clients who are disabled due to fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome, Attorney Scott E. Davis. . Mr. Davis has won Social Security disability cases in every region of the United States and in approximately 40 states. And Mr. Davis&apos extensive experience is evident in the fact that his firm wins chronic pain and fatigue Social Security disability cases over 90% of the time. (Wednesday, 3 p.m. pacific)

All seminars will be featured live via Blog Talk Radio for forty-five minutes, with questions from callers taken the last fifteen minutes. See dates and times for additional seminars at http://www.invisibleillness.com, which will be recorded and archived.

Many guests have donated free items or services, which will be given away in prize drawings. Bloggers are invited to participate by blogging on invisible illness topics September 8-12, 2008 and to download the “I’m blogging for Invisible Illness Awareness” badge from http://www.invisbleillnessblog.com.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week was launched in 2002 by Lisa Copen, author of “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend.” It is held annually in September and is sponsored by Rest Ministries, Inc., the largest Christian organization that serve the chronically ill.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/free-seminars-online-offer-advocacy-and-financial-tips-for-chronically-ill-21275.htm

Some would argue having an illness that is invisible is a good thing. And at times it can be because one gets to choose who to share what information with. But it's also difficult because no one ever believes the seriousness of one's illness or pain level.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/06/2008 -- With nearly half the population* living with an invisible illness, there is every reason to give the person fighting for the last empty spot on the bus the benefit of the doubt, even if she is in her twenties. But we rarely do. If you “look good” you must certainly “feel good.” Right?

The mom who never participates in school functions may not be lazy, she may be grateful that she is at home rather than in the hospital again this week.

The grandmother who is unable to bounce her new baby grandson on her knee isn’t lacking in joy about being a grandma; she just doesn’t trust her strength and balance.

The dad across the street who asks for a ride down to the hardware store may not be asking because his car is broken down for a third time this month (like he claims), but rather because an invisible medical condition has caused him to temporarily lose his driver’s license.

These are just a few reasons bloggers are taking to the internet September 8 and blogging about invisible illness issues throughout the week to help spread awareness.

Whether your family is impacted by autism, mental illness, depression, eating disorders, the beginning stages of Parkinson’s Disease, one of the many autoimmune diseases, or even severe chronic pain, the invisibility factor can cause the emotions of living with an illness even harder to cope with than the actual medical condition.

As shown in recent Dear Abby letters, family and friends often think those with invisible illnesses are hypochondriacs or trying to get attention. Rarely is someone given the benefit of the doubt that they could feel much worse than they look.

How can you explain something no one else can see? How can your pain be that bad if you can still walk around the grocery store and push a heavy cart? Why are people quick to judge that you “can’t be that bad” if you arrived at the party in a wheelchair and are dancing by the end of the night? (As may be the case with a condition like Multiple Sclerosis).

Join National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week’s campaign to educate others on living with invisible illness by blogging about it September 8-12, 2008. You can also download a badge for your site at http://www.invisibleillnessblog.com and post a comment about your own blog and the topic.

They are also featuring a “virtual conference” with twenty online workshops with some of the biggest names in chronic illness experts and bloggers at Blog Talk Radio at http://www.invisibleillnessconference.com .

Lisa Copen, initiator of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week says, “We hope people will be enthusiastic to care enough to erase the myths surrounding invisible illness. Together we can make an impact through our stories.”

*Chronic Care in America, 133 million Americans live with a chronic condition; US Census Bureau show about 96% of illnesses are invisible and no assistive device is utilized.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/join-hundreds-of-others-in-blogging-about-invisible-illness-sept-8-12-21253.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/04/2008 -- Traveling expenses, hard beds, peers wearing too much perfume, long treks to conference rooms, and exhausting days make up the typical conference--all which make it nearly impossible for the chronically ill to attend events where they can find encouragement and education. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week&aposs “virtual” conference online is more than just practical. It&aposs necessary.

“Having a virtual conference available to listen to is like a miracle to me! I no longer have to miss opportunities due to financial difficulties or inability to travel. I can’t wait!” says Kimberly Strange of Indiana who lives with neuropathic pain in legs following her back surgery.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 8-14, 2008 is featuring twenty live seminars, with some of the top chronic illness advocates online today at http://www.invisibleillness.com. Jenni Prokopy of chronicababe.com; Laurie Edwards of achronicdose.com; Rosalind Joffe of keepworkinggirlfriend.com; Christine Miserandino of butyoudontlooksick.com all come together to provide a wide variety of seminars. Seminars will be conducted via Blog Talk Radio, and the week is sponsored by Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill.

“This is a unique and exciting way for those of us who cannot travel to conferences of any kind, to ‘attend’ and become encouraged,” says Lynn Severance from Washington. “It will help dispel the isolation that exists as so many of us watch the “rest of the world’ have the opportunity to go and learn and fellowship with friends in a conference setting.”

Lisa Copen, 39, founder of Rest Ministries and initiator behind National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week says, “Regardless of one’s spiritual beliefs there is an underlying need to be understood, to feel like those you love have some idea about what you are going through; how it can be difficult to look fine while you are feeling so poorly. We hope we can provide a place where people find others who understand, and gain new insight, as well as increase awareness publicly.”

One of the ways to meet the needs of the chronically ill is to provide the type of forum where they can learn, connect with others and interact with professionals. For the chronically ill, who typically have difficulty sleeping, extreme fatigue, trouble walking and sitting, and even chemical sensitivities, a virtual conference, where people can stay comfortable, attend free and avoid traveling is the perfect fit.

Four seminars per day, Monday through Friday, September 8-12, are available at http://www.invisibleillness.com and all will be recorded and archived.

Hundreds of people are also blogging for awareness about invisible illness issues on September 8, 2008. For more information see http://www.invisibleillnessblog.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/chronically-ill-enthusiastically-anticipate-virtual-internet-conference-sept-8-12-21215.htm

Living with an invisible illness can cause heartache and bitterness when one feels no one understands the significance of the illness. Invisible Illness Week provides that validation that people with invisible diseases often seek.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/27/2008 -- While we assume that most people are generally healthy, you may be surprised to find out that an alarming nearly 1 in 2 people in the United States live with a chronic illness. So why is it that most of us don&apost even know when a friend or co-worker is dealing with diabetes, heart disease, lupus, or chronic fatigue syndrome? Because, according to the U.S. Census, about 96% of people have invisible illnesses.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is being held this year, September 8-14, 2008. It&aposs a secular event sponsored by Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill. Visit the invisible illness awareness campaign&aposs web site at http://www.invisibleillnessblog.org . You can be encouraged through dozens of articles, including daily guest bloggers, find ideas to get involved in the outreach, and goodies to help promote awareness, from silicone bracelets to brochures. Tired of those looks when you park in a handicapped spot? Be sure to pick up a license plate or bumper sticker.

The focal point of the awareness campaign is September 8-12 (M-F) during which 20 telephone seminars will be held on a variety of topics and are open to anyone. Topics may also be of interest to those with loved-ones who have an illness. Some seminars include:

- Assess Yourself: Find the Job You Desire and Can Do Despite Illness Limitations

- The Civil Rights of Patients with Invisible Chronic Illnesses

- Overcoming Self-Defeating Behaviors

- Secrets of Paying for Medical Care

How to Get Paid to Blog

- After the Diagnosis: The Journey Beyond

The theme this year is "Hope Can Grow From The Soil of Illness."

Lisa Copen, 39, began National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week in 2002 as she continuously witnessed hundreds of people emotionally hurting just because they felt as though no one "got it." Lisa has lived with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia for fifteen years and understands how validating it can be to just have one friend who you don&apost have to explain everything to.

"Though there are hundreds of illnesses represented, and large differences in symptoms and pain levels, none of that matters more than feeling like someone understands you. When our best friends and family members are skeptical about our disease, it can be that last straw that sets us off into a spiraling depression."

She says, "We plan to unite the millions of people who live with chronic pain and illness by offering an oasis of hope and understanding, as well as helpful information and practical tools to live the best life possible."

Through the guest bloggers of Invisible Illness Week, to 20 seminars that supply tools to ensure that one is cared for--both body and soul--National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is succeeding in meeting that goal.

Find out more information and receive daily updates at http://www.invisibleillnessblog.org

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/invisible-illness-awareness-week-unites-thousands-who-get-it-20924.htm

Through blogs, social networks and book marking tools, this non-profit plans to unite the thousands who live with a variety of invisible illnesses to increase the awareness that illnesses are legitimate even though most people who live with it "look just fine."

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/19/2008 -- Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA have a chronic illness and according to U.S. Census Bureau about 96% of illnesses are invisible. So it comes as no surprise that with hundreds of thousands of people on the Internet searching for health support and information, thousands of people now post daily blogs about the emotional trials they experience while facing chronic pain on a regular basis.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is being held September 8-14, 2008. Part of their outreach includes over thirty days of guest bloggers as well as bloggers all over the web posting about invisible illness issues. For example, what happens when someone with an invisible illness parks in the handicapped spot, even though they are doing so legally?

Bloggers around the web are joining this awareness effort for Invisible Illness Week, showing support through their own blogs by posting about different issues related to invisible illness. One can even download an "I&aposm blogging for Invisible Illness Awareness Week" badge to let others know about their commitment to the cause. Bloggers are also publicly thanked each Friday on the Invisible Illness Week blog, gaining extra exposure for their own blog. Bloggers are posting on their own schedule, but the II Week committee is also encouraging them to post specifically on September 8th, creating a large kick off of awareness for the beginning of the week.

Lisa Copen, who founded National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week in 2002 says, "Though we live with thousands of different illnesses, we have more in common than not. For example, illness impacts our families, careers, finances and daily living, to name a few. We can all learn from one another and share during this journey." She adds, "And frankly, people are tired of hearing, &aposBut you look so good!&apos and they want others to know that their illness is legitimate despite how well they seem to be holding it all together."

Laurie Edwards, author of the new book, "Life Disrupted: Getting Real About Chronic Illness in Your Twenties and Thirties," has been an illness blogger since 2006. She says, "When you&aposre a young adult, people expect you to put in long hours to establish a career, to jump into the dating world, and to build a life for yourself. But they certainly don&apost expect you to be sick. There&aposs no such thing as &apostoo young&apos to be sick, which is one of the reasons I think Invisible Illness Week is so important!"

If you would like to participate in this unique chance to blog for awareness and increase an understanding about invisible illnesses, visit http://www.invisibleillness.wordpress.com . You can receive updates, participate in surveys, win prizes, and learn more about the telephone workshops at the Invisible Illness Week web site: http://www.invisibleillness.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/blogging-for-awareness-of-invisible-illness-week-unites-thousands-20695.htm

Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA has a chronic condition and 96% of it is invisible. A new survey reveals that over half of the chronically ill get annoyed when someone says, "You look so good!”

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/30/2007 -- In a recent survey of 611 chronically ill individuals, done by the National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week committee, 53.27% of the respondents said that the most frustrating or annoying comment people make about their illness is “But you look so good!”

“Although telling someone they look good is often seen as a compliment,” says Lisa Copen, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week “it feels like an invalidation of the physical pain or seriousness of one’s illness and the suffering they cope with daily.”

According to Copen, author of “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend,” statistics show that nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA have a chronic condition and 96% of it is invisible. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week held September 10-16 for 2007, is an outreach to increase awareness that living with an invisible illness can be emotional challenge—as well as physical—and that more people than we would imagine are suffering silently.

Respondents answered the survey at http://www.invisbleillness.com and reported the following other annoying comments people tend to make:

* “Your illness is caused by stress.” (14.22%)
* “If you stopped thinking about it and went back to work…” (12.42%)
* “You can’t be in that much pain. Maybe you just want attention.” (10.95%)
* “Just pray harder.” (9.15%)

Carmen Leal, creator of SomeOne Cares Christian Caregiver Conference and author of “The Twenty-Third Psalm for Caregivers” says, “When someone appears physically normal people are less likely to show understanding and compassion. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is an important opportunity to help families, businesses, churches, and communities understand that conditions without an outward sign are just as debilitating as other more visible illnesses and disabilities.”

Copen, 38, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia for fifteen years agrees. “We know that 75% of marriages impacted by illness end in divorce and 70% of suicides have uncontrollable physical pain as a factor.* There are hundreds of invisible illness such as diabetes, cancer, myasthenia gravis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Crohn’s disease as well as mental illness and conditions such as bulimia or migraines. Regardless of one’s illness or level of pain, feeling isolated and misunderstood can be emotionally devastating. We are each responsible for learning how to effectively show compassion and understanding to those we can about, including the chronically ill.”

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week’s web site has articles, resources and will feature twenty online seminars during Sept 10-14, 2007. Guests include Maureen Pratt, author of “Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness” and Jenni Prokopy, founder of ChronicBabe.com. Outreach materials include t-shirts, silicone awareness bracelets and rack cards, appropriate for support groups or the work place state what to say and not say to a chronically ill person.

The theme for 2007’s invisible illness week campaign is “Living with invisible illness is a roller coaster. Help a friend hold on!”

For more information see http://www.invisibleillness.com or call 888-651-7378. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is sponsored by Rest Ministries, http://www.restministries.org, a Christian organization that serves the chronically ill and HopeKeepers Magazine.

* Sources: National Health Interview Survey / Mackenzie TB, Popkin MK: "Suicide in the medical patient.". Intl J Psych in Med 17:3-22, 1987

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-13078.htm