Invisible Illness Awareness Week begins September 9, 2013 with 5 days of chats featuring special guests.

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/09/2013 -- If you or someone you care about has a chronic illness, odds are that the majority of time you may feel as though your symptoms are invisible to most people. Invisible Illness Awareness Week begins today, September 9 through September 15, 2013, as a chance to validate those with invisible symptoms, as well as build awareness.

They are featuring one chat each day, Monday through Friday, to create a forum where people can share, learn, and be encouraged.

Special guests will be attending the chats on a variety of topics. These include:

- Monday: Invisible illness and why we talk about it, guest Christine Miserandino of ButYouDontLookSick.com
- Tuesday: Relationships and invisible illness, guest Jennifer Saake, author and speaker
- Wednesday: Why our appearance is confusing, guest Kimberli, Mrs. Oregon Plus America
- Thursday: Advocating for awareness for any disease, guest Tiffany Westrich, Co-founder and CEO of International Foundation for Autoimmune Arthritis
- Friday: Identity, work, and finding our purpose, guest Kelly Fricke, illness advocate

Monday through Thursday chats will occur at 11 AM PST/2 PM EST, USA and on Friday at 10 AM PST/1 PM EST.

All chats will take place at the event's Facebook page http://facebook.com/invisibleillnessweek with host Lisa Copen who established the annual event in 2002.

It is estimated nearly 1 in 2 Americans live with a chronic condition* and most of them have symptoms that are not seen. A few symptoms include chronic pain, soreness, extreme fatigue, breathing difficulties, and gastrointestinal pains.

Lisa Copen, 44, says, "Most people with illness don't want pity. We aren't looking for sympathy, but we do have a desire that when we say we are in pain we are believed. It is hard to cope with a chronic condition that is degenerative and debilitating," says Copen, who has lived with active rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years. "Regardless of our age or how healthy we may appear to be, we struggle to live in a body that no longer functions normally."

Invisible Illness Awareness Week is a time to educate those who are not ill, but also to create a sense of community among those who are ill, regardless of their specific disease.

Invisible Illness Awareness Week is held annually in September and includes opportunities to blog for the cause, do a meme, share tweets and videos, and other advocacy activities, including a photo contest.

To attend a chat visit Invisible Illness Awareness Week Facebook page at the time of the chat. For more information visit the web site.

* Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, PBS series "Who Cares: Chronic Illness In America"

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Invisible Illness Awareness Week reaches out to the chronically ill with a photo contest that emphasizes how, regardless of the illness we may have, we can still make choices. What do you choose?

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/28/2013 -- Invisible illness is not a choice, however those who live with a chronic illness can make choices that impact their lives. This is the message of the 2013 Invisible Illness Awareness Week campaign, "I choose to . . ."

Invisible illness is not a choice, however those who live with a chronic illness can make choices that impact their lives. This is the message of the 2013 Invisible Illness Awareness Week campaign, "I choose to . . ."

It is estimated nearly 1 in 2 Americans live with a chronic condition* and most of them have invisible symptoms. It's easy for bitterness to grow when one feels like no one understands the invisible pain and depth of the emotions behind his or her physical illness.

Invisible Illness Awareness Week is a time to educate those who are not ill, but also to create a sense of community among those who are ill, regardless of their specific disease. This year the Invisible Illness Awareness Week team is sponsoring a photo contest, asking those who live with illness to celebrate the choices they can make."

Anyone can upload photos on the event's Facebook page page and then encourage others to vote on the photos. The one who has most votes on September 15 will win a Kindle Fire. To be entered to win the caption must include the words, "I choose to" and have the hashtag #invisibleillnessichooseto.

Choices can range from the silly to the serious. For example, "I choose to set healthier boundaries" or "I choose to snuggle with my dog when I am in pain."

Lisa Copen, who founded the week in 2002 says, "This week is a time for those with illness to feel their pain and struggles are validated, as well as learn new valuable skills and be encouraged." Although a virtual conference won't be held this year as in some years past, all of the seminars are still available to watch. "The topics are timeless," says Copen. "The workshops speak of relationships, the emotional changes we deal with, marriage, working, parenting and many more."

Invisible Illness Awareness Week is held annually in September and includes opportunities to blog for the cause, do a meme, share tweets and videos, and other advocacy activities. Chat sessions will be held at the Facebook page during September 9-13.

For more information sign up for daily updates at InvisibleIllnessWeek.com

* Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, PBS series "Who Cares: Chronic Illness In America"

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is September 10-16, 2012 and this week, Monday through Friday, the campaign features a virtual conference with nearly twenty speakers.

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/10/2012 -- Listeners can log on to http://InvisibleIllnessConference.com to listen to presentations by experts who work with those who are chronically ill, or who live with illness themselves. The seminars will also be available at itunes.com this fall.

Topics include how your personality style affects how you cope with illness, parenting with a chronic illness, how to work at home when chronically ill, improving your marriage relationship despite illness, and the whole "invisible" illness issue.

Speakers include Mary E. Siegel, PhD, co-author of the modern-classic, "Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired," best-selling author Pam Farrel, of 26 titles including "Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti," Wayne and Sherri Connell, founders of Invisible Disabilities Advocate, and chronic illness coach, Rosalind Joffe.

With over 20 speakers from all over the country, the workshops offered are a chance for those with illness --who can rarely travel long distances or sit for extended periods of time--to participate. Founder and coordinator of Invisible Illness Awareness Week, Lisa Copen, says, "Virtual conferences are a seamless fit for those of us who live with chronic illness. You can wear your pajamas, snuggle up with a heating pad, and even hold your pet, and still be a part of something that connects you to people and improves your coping skills for dealing with daily illness."

Copen, who began this week in 2002, is the founder of Rest Ministries that serves the chronically ill. She is the author of various books on chronic illness, including, "Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend." She says that many people who have invisible illnesses are told "But you look so good!" and although they know it is meant as a compliment, it feels like they are being told their illness isn't really that bad, or they are making a big deal out of nothing.

"Nearly 1 in 2 people live with a chronic condition in the USA," shares Copen, "and over 90 percent, have no visible signs that display pain, fatigue, or limitations. Invisible illness can make you feel like you are living two different lives, the reality of struggling to get through the most basic tasks, like making a meal or having a play date for your child, and the reality of what everyone believes you are capable of."

Copen says events such as Invisible Illness Awareness Week help encourage those who live with hidden pain that they are not alone, as well as give them an opportunity to gently educate those around them about their disease.

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 Pinterest page, and the 2012 campaign includes posting your favorite photos that represent your "visible images of hope."

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

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization for the chronically ill, is the sponsor of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 10-16, 2012.

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/10/2012 -- Lisa Copen began Rest Ministries in 1996 following a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 24. "I immediately began feeling isolated from most people my age. I believed that by connecting with others who were chronically ill, and who had Christ at the center of their lives, we would all be encouraged. I tried some support groups, but I needed a place where I could talk about my faith."

The result was a non-profit Christian ministry, RestMinistries.com, that serves those with chronic illness or any kind of chronic pain, such as back pain or migraines. And within a few years, Lisa saw how many people were struggling with bitterness because they felt "no one understands the pain I am in."

This prompted Copen to begin National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, where authors and speakers come together for a virtual conference to share how those with chronic illness can find hope.

This year speakers include best-selling author Pam Farrel, Christian authors Georgia Shaffer, Leslie Vernick, Dena Dyer, Arlene Pellicane, Naomi Kingery, Renee Johnson Fisher, and Jill Hart, founder of Christian Work at Home Moms.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is a way to be able to validate the pain people are feeling, and create more awareness overall, including in the faith communities.

Rest Ministries is also the home of HopeKeepers (R), a small group, Bible study program for churches. It provides a small group setting for those who needed Biblical support and guidance on living with illness--especially when they weren't healed in the expected timely manner.

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 Pinterest page, and the 2012 campaign includes posting your favorite photos that represent your "visible images of hope." Some of the photos will be featured on CNN.com Health.

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 "Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend" and "Why Can't 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's Decision Today.

For information see InvisibleIllnessWeek.com or RestMinistries.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Those with invisible illnesses and disabilities benefit from National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week's virtual conference, September 10-14, 2012, as no traveling is required.

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/05/2012 -- Hard beds, traveling expenses, long walks to conference rooms, attendees going overboard on their perfume, and extreme fatigue are predictably part of your average conference. And for the chronically ill these inconveniences can make attending an actual conference impossible. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week celebrates its tenth year of having a virtual conference and is excited to offer video seminars this year, September 10-14, 2012.

The virtual conference market has doubled since 2009 and it is expected to grow by 56% by 2018 according to Market Research Media. But those who live with chronic illness have an appreciation that goes beyond budget costs and conveniences.

Jean Baum shares, "As a mother of two young boys (8 and 5) as well as living with fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, autoimmune urticaria, Gilbert's Disease, and others, I am lucky to keep up with everything. I rarely go out unless it is necessary and to be able to do a virtual conference is amazing! Being able to be active in this cause--even when I can't leave the house--is priceless."

The conference will feature twenty video presentations that anyone around the globe can listen to. Past workshops via BlogTalkRadio have had over 40,000 listeners and are available on iTunes.

Topics for the 2012 conference include:

- Relationship Tips: Handling the Fallout of Invisible Illness
- How To Keep It Together When Everything Around You is Falling Apart
- Parenting Teens and Tweens When You Have a Chronic Illness
- How to Work From Home When Dealing with an Invisible Illness
- From Sickness to Spirited - Finding That Self Through All The Muck of Illness
- Transitioning to College and Career with a Chronic Illness

Speakers include Mary E. Siegel, PhD, co-author of the modern-classic, "Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired," best-selling author Pam Farrel, of "Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti," Wayne and Sherri Connell, founders of Invisible Disabilities Advocate, and chronic illness coach, Rosalind Joffe.

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

Lisa Copen, 43, founder of Rest Ministries and creator behind the National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week campaign says, "There is a 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 the pain you are in, both physically and sometimes emotionally, as you grieve your losses. We hope our conference will provide a place where people find the true source of being validated in their pain, how to live joyfully despite their illness."

Invisible Illness Week offers many ways to get involved including blogging for the cause, sharing invisible illness week facts on Twitter or Facebook, a Pinterest page, and the 2012 campaign includes posting your favorite photos that represent your "visible images of hope."

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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

If you live with an invisible illness, you may feel alone in your experience, but e-patient bloggers are using it as an opportunity to speak about the pain you never see.

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/28/2012 -- When it comes to bloggers with passion, "e-patient bloggers" who share about their illness journeys, have changed how people find encouragement for living with their illness. A recent study found that 41% of e-patients have read someone else's commentary or experience about health or medical issues on an online news group, website or blog, and 38% say it changed the way they cope with a chronic condition or manage pain.*

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week (NICIAW), established in 2002, is September 10-16, 2012 and e-patient bloggers are the inspirational force behind the campaign's success.

"These e-patient bloggers are strong advocates for increasing awareness for causes such as invisible illness," shares Lisa Copen, founder and coordinator for NICIAW. "They open up their hearts and become vulnerable in order to educate others and increase understanding among the healthy community."

InvisibleIllnessWeek.com features guest bloggers through September 16th 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 is welcome to participate in blogging about their illness, the emotions involved, their medical journey, or what they have learned. At InvisibleIllnessWeek.com a blogger can instantly link his or her blog to the campaign's website. Bloggers can also download the badge that shares their intent to blog about Invisible Illness Week or personal issues of living with an illness.

Copen shares, "The personal factor of reading about a similar health or illness experience of another person online, can sometimes be more influential than classes or doctor's instructions when it comes to learning to cope with pain."

Research has shown that among the those whose most recent online search affected their health, 56% say it changed their overall approach to maintaining their health or the health of someone they help take care of.*

Many e-patient bloggers are participating in the Invisible Illness Week Meme, "30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know." This year's theme, "Invisible Illness? Share Your Visible Hope!" encourages people to post photos via the website that show things that give them hope, whether it is a sunset, a pet, or a grandchild.

During Invisible Illness Week people can participate in the virtual conference by watching seminars with a variety of speakers on topics such as how your personality may influence your style of coping, how to work from home when ill, and to how to explain your illness to others. For more information see http://InvisibleIllnessWeek.com .

*The Social Life of Health Information, by Susannah Fox, Sydney Jones, 2009

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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'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."

Hundreds of people have blogged about invisible illness issues in the past two years and Copen's 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's Internet & American Life Project, August 9-Sept 13

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

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

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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's 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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't 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's Decision Today.

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

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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's 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's 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's 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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's 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's Facebook groups, causes or more see http://InvisibleIllnessOnFacebook.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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 'gets it.' 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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's 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;//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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

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

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

She hopes nomination brings more attention to Invisible Illness

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

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

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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 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 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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 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 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

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

San Diego, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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 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 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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's 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' 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.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 -- (ReleaseWire) -- 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 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.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm