World Lupus Day – 10 May
Lupus is a global health problem that affects people of all nationalities, races, ethnicities, genders, and ages. Lupus can affect any part of the body in any way at any time, often with unpredictable and lifechanging results.
Important Facts to Know about Lupus:
- Lupus is a serious and potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease.
- Lupus can damage any organ or tissue from the skin or joints to the heart or kidneys.
- Lupus develops in response to factors both inside and outside of the body; however, the exact cause of lupus is not known.
- Symptoms of lupus come and go, change over time, making lupus challenging to diagnose. Common symptoms include joint pain, skin rashes, overwhelming fatigue, and fevers that last for days or weeks.
- Lupus is not contagious. You cannot ‘catch’ lupus from someone else.
- While there is no cure for lupus, in most cases lupus can be managed successfully through early diagnosis and expert medical care.
Who has lupus?
- An estimated 5 million people worldwide have lupus.
- Lupus can strike anyone at any time, but 90 percent of the people living with lupus are women.
- Lupus develops most often between ages 15 and 44 and lasts a lifetime.
- People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.
About World Lupus Day
Since 2004 and led by the World Lupus Federation, lupus organizations around the globe have conducted activities on May 10 to raise awareness and educate the public about the symptoms and health effects of lupus.
Raise Awareness of Lupus on Social Media
This year for World Lupus Day on May 10, 2021 we’re going to Make Lupus Visible using the power of social media to show the world the many faces of lupus and the impact of this debilitating autoimmune disease. Learn more about lupus and how to get involved to Make Lupus Visible this year for World Lupus Day at worldlupusday.org
About the World Lupus Federation
The World Lupus Federation (WLF) is a coalition of lupus patient organizations, united to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus. Through coordinated efforts among its affiliates, the Federation works to expand global initiatives that create greater awareness and understanding of lupus, provide education and services to people living with the disease and advocate on their behalf.
With May 10th as World Lupus Day, this is an opportunity for the lupus community to join together across the country to raise funds and awareness of the physical, emotional and economic impact of lupus.
There are many ways you can help Make Lupus Visible – from sharing your story on social media to starting a fundraiser or making a donation.
On our way toward generating more than 110 million impressions on social media during World Lupus Day. Be sure to use the hashtag #WordLupusDay so we can repost your images.
https://worldlupusday.org/2019/05/10/images-from-around-the-globe-for-world-lupus-day/
Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. Together, with all of you, our community of people with lupus along with their families, doctors, scientists and donors we will turn lupus find better, safer and more effective treatments and someday, a cure.
With warmest regards,
Barbara Ward
President
What is lupus?
Also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lupus reprograms immune cells so they attack the body itself, resulting in chronic inflammation. It can affect the kidneys, joints, skin, brain, and the lining of the heart and lungs. Lupus can be mild or life-threatening.
Risk factors for developing lupus
The triggers for lupus are poorly understood. Some factors that are associated with developing lupus are:
- Being female: 90 per cent of Australians with lupus are women.
- Early adulthood: most cases of lupus are detected in people aged between 15 and 40.
- Genetic susceptibility: lupus is more prevalent in some families and some racial groups. Lupus is more prevalent and more severe in Aboriginal Australians than in the wider Australian population.
- Sunlight exposure can be a trigger in susceptible people.
Key Statistics
1 in 1,000
Lupus is estimated to affect more than 25,000 (1 in 1,000) people in Australia
15-45
Onset usually occurs between 15 and 45 years
90%
90% of those affected are women
Coping and support
If you have lupus, you’re likely to have a range of painful feelings about your condition, from fear to extreme frustration. The challenges of living with lupus increase your risk of depression and related mental health problems, such as anxiety, stress and low self-esteem. Stress is a reaction to a situation where a person feels threatened or anxious. Learning healthy ways to cope and getting the right care and support can help reduce stressful feelings and symptoms.
To help you cope with lupus, try to:
Learn all you can about lupus. Write down any questions you have about lupus as they occur to you so that you can ask them at your next appointment. Ask your doctor or nurse for reputable sources of further information. The more you know about lupus, the more confident you’ll feel in your treatment choices.
Gather support among your friends and family. Talk about lupus with your friends and family and explain ways they can help out when you’re having flares. Lupus can be frustrating for your loved ones because they usually can’t see it, and you may not appear sick. Family and friends can’t tell if you’re having a good day or a bad day unless you tell them. Be open about what you’re feeling so that your loved ones know what to expect.
Take time for yourself. Cope with stress in your life by taking time for yourself. Use that time to read, meditate, listen to music or write in a journal. Find activities that calm and renew you. Self care is important, lots of sleep up to 12 hours and try not to stress keep your mind occupied.
Raise Awareness and Funds
Please follow this link to see the latest events:
Lupus Fundraising BBQ
Lemonade for Lupus
Fundraise Your Way
Plan your own fundraising event and make your mark on the lupus community.
Lupus Australia welcomes and encourages the support of individuals and companies who wish to support our mission through their own fundraising initiatives. Your fundraising event should support or enhance the image of Lupus Australia and provide an opportunity for positive exposure and increased public awareness of Lupus Australia while raising funds for those living with lupus.
For more information please email us at info@lupusaust.org.au
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