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.

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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Written by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

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