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May is Lupus Awareness Month, and it’s time to educate yourself and your loved ones about this serious autoimmune disease. Every year since 1979, the month of May has been dedicated to raising awareness for lupus, a chronic and often disabling condition that affects millions of people worldwide. During this month, we encourage everyone to learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments of lupus so that those who suffer from it can get the support they need. So join us in celebrating May as Lupus Awareness Month!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1851</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Lupus Defined Clinically</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dr. Cazenave first defined lupus as a separate disease in a clinical sense.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1948</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Lupus Foundation of America Founded</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Lupus Foundation of America, a national voluntary health organization, was established to provide support, education, and research for lupus.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1954</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Isolation of LE Cell</div><div class='timeline-text'>Doctors Hargraves, Richmond, and Morton first identified the LE cell, a type of white blood cell, in bone marrow taken from people with lupus.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1979</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Lupus Awareness Month</div><div class='timeline-text'>May was recognized for the first time as Lupus Awareness Month by various Lupus organizations to raise awareness about the disease.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Drug Developed for Lupus</div><div class='timeline-text'>Benlysta became the first drug developed specifically for lupus since the condition was identified.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Discovery of New Genes</div><div class='timeline-text'>A major study led by researchers from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation identified 24 new genes associated with lupus.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a fundraiser</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a fundraiser event such as a 5k run, bake sale, or car wash to raise money for lupus research. Make sure to promote the event in advance and get the word out.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Start a donation drive</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a donation drive with friends and family to collect items for those living with lupus. These items can include items such as clothing, blankets, food, or hygiene products.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer your time</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Volunteer your time at a local organization that provides services to people living with lupus. This could be anything from helping out at a support group or attending a local event.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread awareness</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use social media, email, and other forms of communication to spread awareness about lupus and its impact on peoples' lives. Share stories of those living with lupus and their experiences.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to learn more about lupus and its effects on individuals and their families. Research the causes, symptoms, treatments, and other information related to lupus.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Raising awareness of lupus helps those living with it</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Lupus Awareness Month is an important opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of the condition. By spreading information and having honest conversations about lupus, we are able to help those who live with it feel supported and less alone.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Lupus Awareness Month encourages better care for those living with lupus</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Lupus is a complex autoimmune disorder that can often be difficult to diagnose and treat effectively. With increased awareness of the condition, doctors are better equipped to provide tailored treatment plans, leading to improved longterm outcomes for their patients.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Lupus Awareness Month draws attention to research & funding initiatives</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>During Lupus Awareness Month, efforts are made to draw attention to research initiatives and raise funds dedicated towards finding better treatments and eventually a cure. This is key in helping to improve the lives of all those affected by lupus.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Lupus Affects Women More Frequently than Men</h3><p class='facts-content'>Nine out of ten adults with lupus are women, and it commonly presents between the ages of 15 and 45, making lupus predominantly a female ailment.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Lupus is Not Contagious</h3><p class='facts-content'>Contrary to some misconceptions, you cannot spread lupus to someone else nor catch it from someone. It is an autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly attacks its own cells and tissues.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are Four Types of Lupus</h3><p class='facts-content'>Lupus can be classified into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cutaneous lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus. Each type has unique symptoms and requires different treatment approaches.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Lupus Symptoms Can Mimic Other Diseases</h3><p class='facts-content'>The symptoms of lupus such as fatigue, pain, fever, and swelling commonly overlap with other diseases, leading to frequent misdiagnosis. This contributes to an average of six years from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Lupus Triggers are Individual-Specific</h3><p class='facts-content'>There is no single identified cause of lupus, but potential triggers include sunlight, infections, certain medications or even stress. Each person’s triggers may be uniquely different, adding to the complexity of managing the disease.</p></div></div>
Lupus Awareness Month is celebrated on May 1 every year. In 2024, Lupus Awareness Month will occur on a Wednesday.
2023
May 1
Monday
2024
May 1
Wednesday
2025
May 1
Thursday
2026
May 1
Friday
2027
May 1
Saturday
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