With the arrival in my life, a few years ago, of social networking and reconnecting with folks from my past, I was stunned to learn that a friend from high school had died a few
years ago from Lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where the body turns upon itself, creating antibodies against its own cells and tissues. Today, May 10, is World Lupus Day, a chance to learn more and call for action from the medical community and governments around the world. Lupus affects more people than MS, Muscular Dystrophy, and Cystic Fibrosis, combined. It deserves to have an appropriate amount of science (and funding) dedicated to finding a cure, and today, there are events around the globe bringing attention to this powerful need.
Every day, more than 5 million people worldwide struggle with the often debilitating health consequences of lupus, a potentially fatal autoimmune disease capable of damaging virtually any part of the body, including the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain.
Nine out of ten people with lupus are women. Eighty percent of new lupus cases are diagnosed among women ages 15 to 44, striking at the peak of their reproductive and career potential. A merciless predator, lupus permanently disables many young women.
Change by Doing 