Summer Appeal
Children with lupus face daily challenges. Will you help us support them?
The familiar bustle of back-to-school season fills the air. For most children, it’s a time of excitement, anticipation, and maybe even a touch of nervousness. New classrooms, new teachers, and the chance to forge new friendships – it’s a period brimming with endless possibilities. But for children living with lupus, the joy of back-to-school can be weighed down by the challenges of their chronic illness.
Lupus is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation in one or more parts of the body. More than 1 in 1,000 Canadians have lupus, and it can affect anyone, including children, any organ, at anytime. Childhood-onset lupus, affecting 10-20% of diagnosed individuals, can be severe. Unlike adult-onset lupus, it often targets the kidneys and can have significant long-term impact. Unfortunately, lupus tends to be more aggressive and severe in children than in adults. For these children, the daily school grind can often feel more like a daily struggle.
Imagine trying to concentrate through a full day of lessons when fatigue is your constant companion. Neurological symptoms like brain fog can further hinder memory and focus. Pain, stiffness, and even light sensitivity become additional barriers to learning and participating fully.
Socializing, a crucial part of the school experience, can be just as challenging for children living with lupus. The constant threat of a flare-up, triggered by stress, infection, or even changes in temperature, can lead to anxieties about missing out and social isolation. Additionally, some lupus medications can cause weight gain and other physical changes, leading to insecurities and potential teasing from peers.
Just listen to Isaac, a student living with lupus, express his fear of not being understood: “On a day-to-day basis, I may look perfectly healthy, but if I were to have a flare-up… it would take me out for weeks, and people wouldn’t be able to understand, let alone accommodate me.”
This is where Lupus Canada steps in. We believe every child deserves a fair shot at an education. Thankfully, with support from generous donors like you, we can help children living with lupus and their families so they can thrive in school and fulfill their potential.
Please donate to Lupus Canada today, so we can keep raising awareness and advocacy for this debilitating disease, continue to fund life-changing research, raise money for our scholarship program, and one day, discover a cure.
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are a crucial tool in helping children living with lupus.
These plans, developed by a team of teachers, parents, and medical professionals, outline specific support a child needs to succeed. Accommodations can include:
▪️ Flexible schedules to accommodate doctor appointments or flares.
▪️ Extended time on tests to compensate for fatigue or brain fog.
▪️ Modified physical education programs to avoid strenuous activities.
▪️ Access to a school counselor or social worker for emotional support.
▪️ Use of hand sanitizer dispensers instead of communal sinks to minimize infection risk.
▪️ Light filters on windows and adjustable lighting to manage light sensitivity.
These are just a few examples. Lupus Canada is working hard to help ensure children with lupus have the necessary resources for success. With your support we can continue to build out these resources, ensuring these students can participate fully in their education. We also offer resources for teachers to help them understand lupus and its impact on learning.
Beyond academics, the emotional and social well-being of children with lupus is equally important. We can’t ignore the toll a chronic illness can take on the mental and emotional health of parents. Lupus Canada advocates for systems and resources to support parents who face the constant burden of worrying about their child’s well-being, helping to alleviate some of that pressure.
But we can’t continue to raise awareness and funds for research for children living with lupus across the country without people like you. Your generous donation to Lupus Canada makes a real difference.
Please give generously to Lupus Canada, today.
Would you consider a monthly donation of $10? Join our Monthly Giving program to support a student’s school year with hope, opportunity, and success. With your support, we can ensure every child with lupus has the same chance other kids do to excel in school and chase their dreams.
Imagine a world where children living with lupus can confidently step into school, focused on what truly matters: friendships, learning, and a promising future. With your support, we don’t have to just picture it: we can help make it a reality.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Leanne Mielczarek
Executive Director, Lupus Canada