The Lupus Foundation of America, Iowa Chapter Urges the Public to Band Together for Lupus Awareness This May
Educational programs and events taking place in the Iowa areas throughout May as part of Lupus Awareness Month activities
(Des Moines, Iowa) New research has shown that most Americans, 59 percent, know little or nothing about lupus and its devastating impact. This May for Lupus Awareness Month, the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), Iowa Chapter is urging residents of Iowa and across the nation to Band Together for Lupus Awareness™ to improve the understanding of lupus, an
unpredictable and sometimes fatal disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans, and support those who suffer from this terrible disease.
"A lack of awareness of the disease contributes to many people dismissing early warning signs of lupus, which can have serious health risks," said Susan B. Kroska/Iowa Chapter Executive Director. "We are asking everyone to get involved and Band Together for Lupus Awareness, so together we can offer hope and improve the quality of lives of Iowa residents living with lupus."
"When I tell people I have lupus, they typically don't know what it is. And if they do know what it is, they tell me that I don't look sick," said Marie McNamara from Windsor Heights, Iowa. "It is hard to explain that while I may look totally fine on the outside, that I can be in so much pain or so sick on the inside. Awareness is very important so our family and friends understand what we're going through and how they can support us."
This year, the LFA is asking the public to Put On Purple for lupus awareness by wearing purple and telling people why they are showing their support for all people affected by this disease. Put On Purple Day will take place on Friday, May 18, 2012.
Lupus Awareness Month activities, which include social media, online, and grassroots components, will empower individuals, organizations, and companies with a wide-ranging number of tools and resources so they can educate their communities about lupus. Tools range from fliers, to Web banner ads, to facts about lupus.
There are many ways the public can Band Together for Lupus Awareness such as:
- Listen and share new podcasts with lupus experts.
- Share their lupus story on Lupus Voices Across America at www.lupusvoices.org
- Include an article about lupus in their company newsletter or on their Web site
- Post fliers in their community or around their office.
- Post a Web banner on their Web site linking to the LFA/Lupus Awareness Month activities
- Distribute purple wristbands to friends (available for sale at www.shoplupus.org).
- Participate in Put On Purple Day on Friday, May 18 -- encourage friends to wear purple
- proudly on this day and tell people why.
- Send their networks lupus facts throughout the month of May via their social media pages
- Participate in the LFA's mobile giving campaign -- on World Lupus Day on May 10th, tell
- 10 people about lupus and ask them to give $10 to the LFA by texting LUPUS to 80888;
- contributions will help the LFA raise awareness, expand education programs, and advance
- research.
The public can learn more about lupus and ways they can get involved in improving awareness of lupus this May by visiting the LFA's Web site at http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/iowa_home.aspx Tools, free of charge, are available at www.lupus.org/awarenesskit.
About Lupus
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ in the body. Lupus can be unpredictable and potentially fatal, yet no satisfactory treatment or cure exists. An estimated 1.5 million Americans and at least five million people worldwide have a form of lupus. Its health effects include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, miscarriages, and organ failure.
About the Lupus Foundation of America Iowa Chapter
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), Iowa Chapter is a proud member of the LFA National Network, which is comprised of chapters, field offices, support groups, and community representatives. The LFA is the oldest and largest national nonprofit health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and a cure for lupus, and providing support, services, and hope to all people affected by lupus. The LFA and its National Network are focused on improving quality of life for people with lupus through programs of research, education, and advocacy.
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