National Lupus Awareness Month: Educating and Empowering Communities

National Lupus Awareness Month: Educating and Empowering Communities

May is National Lupus Awareness Month, aimed at increasing awareness, promoting understanding, and supporting individuals living with this complex autoimmune disease. Lupus affects the immune system, causing it to attack healthy tissues and organs, leading to widespread inflammation.

Three Facts:
1. About 1.5 million Americans live with lupus, and 90% of those diagnosed are women.
2. Lupus is a chronic condition with symptoms including fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and organ damage, but it is manageable with treatment.
3. Early diagnosis and specialized care can significantly improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for lupus patients.

How to Support Lupus Awareness Month:
1. Wear purple and use the hashtag #LupusAwarenessMonth to show your support online.
2. Donate to or volunteer with organizations funding lupus research and care programs.
3. Share educational resources focusing on lupus symptoms, treatments, and patient stories to break stigma.

Three Resources:
1. Lupus Foundation of America – Advocacy, education, and support for individuals with lupus.
2. Lupus UK – Resources and insights for understanding lupus globally.
3. NIH Lupus Research – Research and resources for managing lupus symptoms.