To coincide with Lupus Awareness Month this May, the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is launching a new Web site, Lupus Voices Across America™, that will allow people with lupus and their supporters to share their lupus stories. It is estimated that 80 percent of the public know little or nothing about lupus. Together, these stories will raise awareness of lupus and express the complexity and uniqueness of the disease from person to person.
“The story of lupus has yet to be told”
For Lupus Awareness Month, the LFA campaign will feature the stories and voices of people living with lupus, and those who have been affected by the disease to educate the public about the potentially life-threatening and serious consequences experienced by an estimated 1.5 million Americans. A series of fliers has been developed in which individuals living with lupus share a fact about lupus and highlight the seriousness of the disease based on their unique experience with lupus.
"The story of lupus has yet to be told," said Sandra C. Raymond, President and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America. "Many people still do not understand the devastating health effects and challenges people living with lupus, or their loved ones, experience every day. The launch of our new Web site, Lupus Voices Across America, and the fliers featuring people with lupus are powerful ways to educate the public about lupus through the voices of those who have been touched by the disease."
Celebrities with a personal connection to lupus are also using their voices to show their support and educate others about lupus. The LFA Global Ambassador and musician, Julian Lennon; LFA 2011 Walk for Lupus Now® Grand Marshal, Eduardo Xol, from ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition; Kalenna Harper from the music band Diddy-Dirty Money; and Busy Philipps from ABC's Cougar Town have each recorded a public service announcement that shares a fact about lupus. The videos will be distributed throughout the month of May.
The LFA urges individuals to Band Together for Lupus™ this May and share their lupus knowledge with others by doing at least one thing to raise awareness. The LFA Web site provides a list of simple ways to help raise awareness of lupus, including sharing lupus stories on Lupus Voices Across America, wearing the LFA Band Together for Lupus t-shirt or wristband, sending an educational ecard to friends, and distributing fliers in local communities.
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