Research shows that nearly two-thirds of the public knows little or nothing about lupus. The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter (LFANC) is committed to changing that as part of its ongoing educational and advocacy efforts and in commemorating Lupus Awareness Month in May.

“Lupus has a brutal impact that the public doesn’t realize,” said Christine John-Fuller, President & CEO of LFANC. “We encourage everyone to take action and get involved in Lupus Awareness Month to make a difference in improving the quality of lives of those living with this devastating disease. Everyone needs to KNOW lupus to create a future with NO lupus.”

During Lupus Awareness Month, the LFANC is asking the public to “Put On Purple” by wearing purple and telling people why they are showing their support for all people – including 45,000 North Carolina residents – affected by this disease. Put On Purple Day takes place on Friday, May 15 and is an awareness initiative that started in North Carolina and has since expanded nationwide.

In addition, the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) has launched a new national multi-media campaign encouraging the public to KNOW LUPUS. The campaign features a series of television public service announcements (PSAs) that will be rolled out over the next year. They include a collection of testimonials and statements from people with lupus and celebrity advocates, including Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Lucci, and the cast of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., among others. For more information, visit lupus.org/know.

Other notable lupus awareness activities throughout the month include:

• Lupus Awareness Month in May recognized in North Carolina: Gov. Pat McCrory and several cities are proclaiming May as Lupus Awareness Month throughout the state.

• Take the KNOW LUPUS Challenge: Play the KNOW LUPUS card game and test your understanding of this cruel disease and challenge others to KNOW LUPUS. Each time someone takes the KNOW LUPUS challenge, the LFA’s National Board Chair’s family will donate $1 to lupus research up to $50,000. Visit lupus.org/know.

• Throughout May: Support Group Meetings

• May 3: Walk to End Lupus Now:Asheville

• May 8: Purple Lighting of Duke Energy Center (Charlotte): The building will be purple an hour before sunrise and again 30 minutes before sunset until midnight.

• May 10: World Lupus Day: Lupus has no boundaries. More than 5 million people around the world have lupus.

• May 13: Teleconference – “Living Well with Lupus”: Donald Thomas, M.D., FACP, FACR, CCD, author of “The Lupus Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Families” will host the teleconference and discuss how to live well with lupus through coping techniques, educating yourself and his “lupus secrets.”

• May 15: Put On Purple for lupus awareness.

• May 16: Walk To End Lupus Now: Charlotte

• May 30: Walk To End Lupus Now: Fayetteville

The public can learn more about lupus and ways they can get involved in improving awareness of lupus this May by visiting the LFANC's Web site at www.lupusnc.org.

About Lupus:

Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with, and a challenge to treat. Lupus is a cruel mystery because it is hidden from view and undefined, has a range of symptoms, hits out of nowhere, and has no known cause and no known cure. Its health effects can range from a skin rash to a heart attack. Lupus is debilitating and destructive, and can be fatal, yet research on lupus remains underfunded relative to its scope and devastation.

About the Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter

The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter is part of the national force devoted to solving the cruel mystery of lupus while providing caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact. We work with local health professionals and volunteers to provide information and programs to ensure people with lupus and their families get answers and health professionals know about new means to diagnose and manage the disease. The chapter serves an estimated 45,000 living with lupus in North Carolina. For more information about lupus or the LFANC, visit www.lupusnc.org or call (877) 849-8271. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.