May 10: International Lupus Day

 The chosen slogan for the 2022 and 2023 campaign is: “Let’s make lupus visible”

Since 2004, every May 10th is celebrated as World Lupus Day, sponsored by the World Lupus Federation, a coalition of lupus patient organizations from around the world.

Lupus is a disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). The inflammation caused by lupus can affect different systems and organs of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

The objective of this date focuses on the need to prioritize health services, increase research on the causes and cure, improve diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiological studies of the global impact of the disease.

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are generally similar to those of other diseases. The most distinctive sign of lupus is a facial rash that resembles the open wings of a butterfly on both cheeks and occurs in many cases of lupus, but not all.

“This disease is more frequent in women, for every nine women, one man is diagnosed, it probably has to do with hormonal and genetic issues, especially between the ages of 20 and 30,” explained Dr. Maximiliano Machado Escobar, a rheumatologist at the Eva Perón hospital.

Famous people who suffer from lupus

Selena Gómez: The 30-year-old artist born in Texas (USA) revealed that she suffers from Lupus, whose medication leads to drastic weight fluctuations. Gómez had to undergo a kidney operation, which is one of the organs damaged by this condition.

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Toni Braxton: This American singer of great worldwide prestige had to take a break in her career due to this illness, which was diagnosed in 2010.

Seal: A renowned British singer who has suffered from lupus for years. According to his own words, it is a condition he has been dealing with since he was a child and which has caused him multiple sequelae.

Nick Cannon: Another famous actor who has testified about his struggle with this disease and has made it public through the so-called Lupus Foundation of America´s Washington.