What Is Lupus Awareness Month? The History, Visibility, Purple Ribbons, and More
Key takeaways:
May is Lupus Awareness Month, and World Lupus Day is May 10, 2021.
You can support the cause by raising awareness and funds.
Advocacy, awareness, and financial support are needed to help those affected.
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes disabling fatigue, pain, and a wide range of other symptoms. It affects more than 1.5 million people in the U.S., 90% of them women. But according to the Lupus Foundation of America, 63% of Americans know little to nothing about lupus.
Lupus Awareness Month and World Lupus Day exist to raise awareness about the disease. Every year, events are held with the intention of informing the public about lupus and how it affects people. In addition, fundraising helps support research initiatives and families whose lives have been impacted by the disease.
When is Lupus Awareness Month for 2021?
Lupus Awareness Month is May in the U.S. It started in 1977 as Lupus Awareness Week and occurred in the fall months. Over time, it was extended to a month and moved to the spring. Lupus Awareness Month has been in May since 2009.
Looking to save on BENLYSTA (belimumab)?
BENLYSTA is for people 5+ with active SLE (lupus) or active lupus nephritis on other lupus medicines. Not for people with severe active central nervous system lupus.
Do not use BENLYSTA if you are allergic to belimumab or any ingredients in BENLYSTA.
The most important information about BENLYSTA
Immunosuppressive agents, including BENLYSTA, can cause serious side effects. Some of these may cause death.
• Infections:
fever, chills, pain or burning with urination, urinating often, coughing up mucus, or warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body. Infections could be serious, leading to hospitalization or death.
• Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions:
itching, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, anxiousness, low blood pressure, dizziness or fainting, headache, nausea, or skin rash. Serious allergic reactions can happen the day of, or in days after, receiving BENLYSTA and may cause death.
• Mental health problems and suicide:
thoughts of suicide or dying, attempt to commit suicide, trouble sleeping (insomnia), new or worse anxiety or depression, acting on dangerous impulses, other unusual changes in your behavior or mood, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others.
Before receiving BENLYSTA, discuss with your healthcare provider if you:
• think you have an infection or have infections that keep coming back. Do not use BENLYSTA if you have an infection unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
• have or have had mental health problems such as depression or thoughts of suicide.
• have recently received or may need a vaccination. If you are receiving BENLYSTA, you should not receive live vaccines.
• are taking any medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
• are allergic to other medicines.
• are receiving other biologic medicines.
• have or have had any type of cancer.
• have any other medical conditions.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is unknown if BENLYSTA will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether to prevent pregnancy while on BENLYSTA. If you choose to prevent pregnancy, you should use an effective method of birth control for at least 4 months after the final dose of BENLYSTA.
• become pregnant while receiving BENLYSTA, talk to your healthcare provider about enrolling in the BENLYSTA Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/benlysta-belimumab/
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is unknown if BENLYSTA passes into your breast milk.
Possible side effects of BENLYSTA
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a serious and life-threatening brain infection. PML can result in death or severe disability. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any new or worsening medical problems: memory loss, trouble thinking, dizziness or loss of balance, difficulty talking or walking, or loss of vision.
• Cancer. Medicines that affect the immune system, including BENLYSTA, may increase your risk of certain cancers.
The most common side effects of BENLYSTA are nausea, diarrhea, fever, stuffy or runny nose and sore throat, persistent cough, trouble sleeping, leg or arm pain, depression, headache, and pain, redness, itching, or swelling at the site of injection (when given subcutaneously). These are not all the possible side effects of BENLYSTA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for BENLYSTA.
What is BENLYSTA?
BENLYSTA is a prescription medicine used to treat people 5 years of age and older with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) or active lupus nephritis (LN) (lupus-related kidney inflammation) who are receiving other lupus medicines. It is not known if BENLYSTA is safe/effective in people with severe active central nervous system lupus.
It is not known if BENLYSTA, given under the skin, is safe/effective in:
• children with SLE under 5 years of age or weighing less than 33 lbs
• children with LN under 18 years of age
It is not known if BENLYSTA, given in a vein (intravenously), is safe and effective in children less than 5 years of age.
BENLYSTA IV is available as 120 mg in a 5-mL single-dose vial and 400 mg in a 20-mL single-dose vial. BENLYSTA SC is available as a 200 mg/mL single-dose autoinjector and prefilled syringe.
Trademarks owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.
©2024 GSK or licensor.
PMUS-BELWCNT240036 October 2024
Produced in USA.
May 10 is World Lupus Day every year, since its inception in 2004.
What is the goal of Lupus Awareness Month (and World Lupus Day)?
Lupus Awareness Month and World Lupus Day are dedicated to raising awareness and funds across the country and the globe.
These events help to raise awareness about the physical, emotional, and financial impact of lupus. With greater awareness comes better support, resources, and advocacy for people fighting the disease. Fundraising is also important to drive research initiatives and provide support and services to those who need it.
People with lupus often suffer from joint pain, extreme fatigue, and organ damage. Lupus can affect one’s mental health as well. The disease has a tendency to flare from time to time, making daily life unpredictable. Simply put, the physical, mental, and social impacts of the disease can greatly affect quality of life. Any amount of support can help.
How do I show my support for lupus?
It’s helpful to raise awareness about the disease and support events and organizations that further the cause. This can be done on social media, locally in your community, or within your circle of family and friends. There are several ways you can get involved:
Wear purple
Raise awareness
Start a fundraiser
Donate to lupus support groups or research
Join a walk or race
Share your story (if you have lupus)
Advocate for legislation that supports lupus research
Why purple?
As with many awareness events, lupus is associated with a color. The Lupus Foundation of America encourages everyone to “Put on Purple” on May 12, 2021. The color purple is said to be a combination of red, which signifies motivation, and blue, which signifies calmness.
Purple is also the color used to bring awareness to other conditions and social issues such as:
Alzheimer’s disease
Homelessness
Thyroid cancer
Religious tolerance
Crohn’s disease
9/11 victims
Cystic fibrosis
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
And others
Resources
If you’re interested in learning more about lupus, or how you can help, check out these resources:
You can also find a lupus support group near you here.
The bottom line
The month of May is an important time to recognize the physical, emotional, and financial impact of lupus. Consider joining an event near you and wearing purple to participate in Lupus Awareness Month. To find out how you can support lupus awareness and learn more about Lupus Awareness Month, go to Lupus.org.
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