LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH ACTIVITY GUIDE
World Lupus Day
World Lupus Day is under the direction of the World Lupus Federation, a coalition of lupus patient organizations from around the world, united to improve the quality of life for people affected by lupus. Through coordinated efforts of its global affiliates, the World Lupus Federation works to create greater awareness and understanding of lupus, provide education and services to people living with the disease, and advocate on their behalf. Lupus Canada is proud to be a partner in the effort to focus greater worldwide attention on this devastating disease. Efforts are underway to secure support for the proclamation by governments around the globe. On behalf of all Canadians impacted by lupus, we seek our government’s support in raising awareness for World Lupus Day. Learn more at https://worldlupusday.org/about.
World Lupus Day serves to rally lupus organizations and people affected by the disease around the world for a common purpose of bringing greater attention and resources to efforts to end the suffering caused by this disabling and potentially fatal autoimmune disease. Since 2004, lupus organizations around the globe have conducted activities on May 10 to raise awareness and educate the public about the symptoms and health effects of lupus. Together we can make lupus an international health priority and to ensure that people with lupus around the world are diagnosed and treated effectively.
Canada Illuminates in Purple for Lupus Awareness
There is no better way to celebrate Lupus Awareness Month than by shining purple in Canada. Lupus Canada is pleased to announce that Canadian landmarks will be illuminated in purple for Lupus Awareness Month.
These dates are crucial to supporting those who live with lupus, as well as, working to create more resources for those in need. It is our hope that by lighting significant landmarks throughout Canada we can create awareness for this debilitating disease. If you see a landmark illuminated in purple, please take a photo, share on social media and tag @LupusCanada.
*Please note that all efforts will be made to honour these illuminations listed; however, all the Canadian Landmark Managements reserve the right to adjust the lighting schedule as necessary without notice and this may result in: modifying the timing of the lighting, sharing the evening with another cause or rescheduling the date.
World Lupus Day Proclamations
By having the provinces proclaim May 10th as World Lupus Day in their legislature it demonstrates their support by recognizing this historic day, unites the people across the country who are affected by this disease, and brings greater attention to the lack of resources and unmet needs of those living with lupus.
Bill 112 was passed on July 24, 2021 officially declaring May 10th Lupus Awareness Day (LAD) in Ontario.
Please click on the image for a full size view of the proclamation.
Put On Purple
Share your photos or videos on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and tag @LupusCanada or email them to info@lupuscanada.org.
The Disease Of A Thousand Faces Campaign
Lupus Canada is continuing to gather pictures of Canadians living with lupus for our Disease Of A Thousand Faces Campaign! Lupus Canada is hoping to gather 1,000 pictures of lupus warriors around the world by the end of the year. Share this campaign with your friends and through social media and help us reach our goal. Lupus is known as the “Disease of a Thousand Faces” due to its wide-ranging symptoms and ability to mimic other diseases.
To submit your photo or for more information visit https://www.lupuscanada.org/diseaseof1000faces/.
Create a Purple Butterfly with Loved Ones
Initiatives du Mois de la sensibilisation au lupus au Québec
Faisant référence au papillon, symbole du lupus, le Centre ARThite s’associe à BFly, situé aux Galeries de la Capitale, un Centre Commercial très populaire dans la région de Québec. BFly possède une volière de papillons accessible au public et permettant aux adultes comme aux enfants d’observer de superbes papillons en liberté dans un espace spécialement adapté pour eux.
Le 10 mai, des chercheurs et des étudiants seront disponibles chez BFly. Le grand public intéressé à visiter la volière BFly pourra ainsi les rencontrer et découvrir cette maladie mystérieuse qu’est le lupus. Les étudiants expliqueront les projets de recherche qu’ils développent au sein du Centre ARThrite et du Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval pour mieux comprendre le lupus. Les medias de la région ont été contactés pour faire un reportage à cette occasion.
Le Centre ARThrite et BFly, en partenariat avec Lupus Canada, souhaite ainsi établir une collaboration pérenne qui permettra à chaque mois de mai d’augmenter la sensibilisation de la population à cette maladie et de valoriser la recherche réalisée à Québec. La coordonnatrice du Centre ARThrite-UL, Emmanuelle Rollet-Labelle, assistée de l’étudiante au doctorat Ana Boisvert, ont généreusement accepté de coordonner ces activités.
Par ailleurs Yaneisy Ninoska Tremblay, étudiante à la Maitrise dans l’équipe du Dr Boilard et Fortin, relèvera le défi ‘’1000 longueurs pour le lupus’’ et sera encouragée par ses collègues du Centre ARThrite et Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval qui relaieront son exploit sur leurs réseaux sociaux.
Enfin, le Centre ARThrite a élargi son partenariat avec la Société des établissements de plein air de Québec (SEPAQ), laquelle procédera à l’illumination des Chutes Montmorency en mauve. Ces chutes, hautes de 83m et plus hautes que les chutes du Niagara, sont à proximité de la Ville de Québec.
Lupus Awareness Month Initiatives taking place in Quebec
Referencing the butterfly, symbol of lupus, the ARThrite Center partners with BFly, located at Galeries de la Capitale, a highly popular shopping center in the Quebec region. BFly features a butterfly aviary open to the public, allowing both adults and children to observe beautiful butterflies freely in a specially adapted space for them.
On May 10th, researchers and students will be available at BFly. The general public interested in visiting the BFly aviary will have the opportunity to meet them and learn about this mysterious disease, lupus. Students will explain the research projects they are developing within the ARThrite Center and the CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center to better understand lupus. Local media have been contacted to cover this event.
The ARThrite Center and BFly, in partnership with Lupus Canada, aim to establish a lasting collaboration that will increase awareness of this disease every May and promote research conducted in Quebec. The coordinator of the ARThrite Center-UL, Emmanuelle Rollet-Labelle, assisted by doctoral student Ana Boisvert, generously agreed to coordinate these activities.
Additionally, Yaneisy Ninoska Tremblay, a Master’s student in Dr. Boilard and Fortin’s team, will take on the ‘1000 Laps for Lupus’ challenge and will be encouraged by her colleagues from the ARThrite Center and CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, who will share her achievement on their social networks.
Finally, the ARThrite Center has expanded its partnership with the Société des établissements de plein air de Québec (SEPAQ), which will illuminate Montmorency Falls in purple. These falls, 83 meters high and higher than Niagara Falls, are located near Quebec City.
Provincial Lupus Organizations Lupus Awareness Initiatives
For specific Lupus Awareness Month activities taking place in your province, please contact your provincial lupus organization https://www.lupuscanada.org/provincial-lupus-organizations/.