Lupus is an unknown disease to many, but it causes great discomfort for those fighting it; Lupus South Africa raises awareness to help people understand it.
South Africa (06 May 2022) – May is Lupus Awareness month globally, and Lupus South Africa is working to raise awareness about the disease in our country. They are using this month to share all the information about the disease and how people can offer support to those who are suffering from it.
Lupus is one of the invisible illnesses that people tend to overlook. It is highly misunderstood and can really only be felt by those closest to someone that has been diagnosed. It mainly affects women, and beyond that, it is more prevalent in women with a more ethnic background.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can attack vital organs like the kidneys, lungs, heart, brain, joints and even the skin. Essentially it will attack any form of human tissue. The body’s immune system mistakes its own cells as the enemy and fights healthy tissue.
The battle within the body means that someone living with Lupus often has chronic pain and inflammation, fatigue, and endless rounds of medication. A person living with lupus will be able to manage the disease and have times when it is in remission, but they will battle the disease for the rest of their lives.
Lupus South Africa aims to create awareness among South Africans about Lupus, support Lupus Warriors and their families, create patient advocacy groups and lobby for new medication and treatments.
Do you know a Lupus warrior? You can show them you care by raising awareness this month. You can also support the Andrea’s Gift Foundation, established in memory of Andrea Hughes, who lost her three-year lupus battle in 2017.
The colour purple is the colour for the disease, so you can wear a purple item of clothing or ribbon to show your support. With more awareness comes change, and if you can change one person’s life, you can change everything!
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