May is Lupus Awareness Month

Many readers will not have heard of Lupus.  Those that know this autoimmune disease will probably have a connection to it somehow.  They may have it themselves, know a loved one or a friend with it, or have seen the purple ribbon but not really thought too much about it.


Lupus is a cruel and debilitating disease that attacks the body in a number of evil ways.  The immune system breaks down and sufferers are open to all sorts of other diseases.


The Lupus Foundation of America shares the following information:

• Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to someone.
• Lupus is not like or related to cancer. Cancer is a condition of malignant, abnormal tissues that grow rapidly and spread into surrounding tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, as described above.
• Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS the immune system is underactive; in lupus, the immune system is overactive.
• Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.
• Our research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no large-scale studies to show the actual number of people in the U.S. living with lupus.
• More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country.
• It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus.
• Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too. Most people will develop lupus between the ages of 15-44.
• Women of color are two to three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians.
• People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.

Lupus warriors need support and heightened awareness.  Butterfly Warriors Jewelry has created jewelry in the color of Lupus..purple.  Wear this jewelry in support of someone or give it to them to inspire hope for a cure.  

Lupus Awareness