May is Lupus Awareness Month! Lupus is a chronic disease with a variety of symptoms caused by inflammation in one or more parts of the body.
In honour of raising awareness and support for those affected by lupus, check out these five things that everyone should know.
1. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder in which the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues. These harmful self-reactive antibodies, known as autoantibodies, lead to widespread inflammation and tissue damage.
2. It is estimated to impact more than 1 in 1,000 Canadians.
3. Lupus is incredibly complex, impacting nearly every organ in the body. Known as “the disease with a thousand faces” symptoms can include fatigue, joint pain and stiffness, skin rashes, chest pain, fever and kidney failure.
4. More than five million people worldwide are living with lupus, the majority are young women.
![[L-R] Drs. Zahi Touma, Dafna Gladman, and Joan Wither. (Photos: UHN)](https://b3464750.smushcdn.com/3464750/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/lupus_awareness_may.jpg?lossy=0&strip=1&webp=1)
5. The cause of lupus is not known and, as yet, there is no cure for lupus. But, thanks to the team at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, people with lupus are living longer with a better quality of life.
No one ever changed the world on their own but when the bright minds at UHN work together with donors we can redefine the world of health care together.