May is Lupus Awareness Month. 8 Ways to get Involved Today!

Let's Make Lupus Visible During Lupus Awareness Month A Resource Guide

May 16, 2024

The Cruel Mystery
The Great Imitator
The Invisible Illness

These are all names that are used to describe Lupus, due to the nature and unpredictability of the illness. This article is mainly focused on this months Lupus Awareness events and how to get involved, but I will be sending articles all month full of education and facts about Lupus. I have had Lupus for 28+ years, so this Awareness Month is very personal and important to me.

Lupus Awareness Month is all about letting the world know about Lupus. You can help spread awareness, educate others about Lupus, and support those affected by this Cruel disease too! The information and resources in this post tell you how seasoned lupus advocates and newcomers alike can raise awareness and “Make Lupus Visible” which is what this months Awareness campaign is all about.

Ways to ‘Make Lupus Visible’ and Raise Awareness for Lupus Awareness Month

1. Use Hashtags on Social Media

#LupusAwarenessMonth

#MakeLupusVisible

2. Share your Story on Social Media

Your journey and the challenges you face living with Lupus can inspire and create awareness. Plus, just writing and sharing it is empowering and encouraging too!

3. Raise Awareness with Tools at Lupus Foundation of America (lupus.org)

HERE: https://www.lupus.org/lupus-awareness-month/toolkit

Here you can find educational and awareness shareables and some Infographics making it so easy to share with friends and social media. There are also templates for your actual social media post so you don't have to worry about what to say.

4. Do a Fundraiser on Facebook

HERE: https://oclp.goodunited.io/82

5. Host a Fundraiser- Make Your Mark fundraising program

HERE : https://support.lupus.org/site/TRR/MYM/TeamMakeYourMark?pg=tfind&fr_id=1962

6. Enroll in RAY – Research Accelerated By You.

A Lupus data research platform where you share information about your condition to help research.

HERE: lfa.rexdb.net

7. Take the Purple Pledge

Sign your name and pledge to spread awareness all year round.

HERE: https://support.lupus.org/site/SPageNavigator/purple_pledge.html?s_src=lupusorg&s_subsrc=LAM_home

*****Speaking of which… I did take the Purple Pledge and the result is this added section to the newsletter to keep talking about Lupus. Since I have the disease, I've actually been thinking about blogging about it for a long time. So the timing was right and here we are.

8. Donate

HERE: support.lupus.org

Your donation will help develop more accurate tests, discover better treatments, and find a cure. Your support will help fight back against lupus, by helping to support and encourage the next generation of lupus researchers, deliver caring support services, provide disease education resources, and increase public awareness of lupus.

Why Lupus Foundation of America?

Of course there are other organizations that you can donate through, I just am a big fan of Lupus Foundation of America. I go to them for everything Lupus related and they are always above and beyond.

A quick note about LFA

Lupus Foundation of America

They are the largest national organization leading the fight against Lupus for over 40 years. They are devoted to improving the quality of life for all people affected by lupus through programs of research, education, support and advocacy. They are the drivers behind Lupus Awareness Month each May, bringing communities together to make Lupus visible through awareness and sharing valuable stories. Lupus Awareness Month occurs every May and is an important platform for lupus-focused organizations to educate and advocate for those affected by this complex condition.

The Website is Amazing!!

They have the most comprehensive website and resources for all things Lupus. Anything you want to know is here! lupus.org

Thank you for taking the time to read this quick guide about raising Awareness about Lupus. There is still so much to be done to beat this terrible disease. I will share my own struggles and story with Lupus over the next few weeks , which is something I've never done, but feel is important to raise awareness.

That's it for me so I'll say Bye👋 for now. Please 🙏 stay safe and well this week and try to take some time to lose yourself in the magic of books.📚🪄

Have a Magical day,

Shari