Awareness and Support for Lupus Survivors
May is lupus awareness month where thousands of individuals across Canada wear purple in order to honour those individuals who have lupus or passed away from it. Lupus is a disease where one’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, according to Lupus Canada, “it is estimated that 1 in a thousand Canadians are affected by the disease.”
Although it is a rather rare autoimmune disease, it is considered to be one of the more fatal autoimmune diseases if not treated correctly. In Halton Hills, there is a very small lupus community mostly made up of women. Heidi M of Milton is a part of a large Facebook lupus support group that expands Canada comments, “I have been living with Lupus for thirty-six years and my nineteen-year-old daughter was just diagnosed on May 8th.” In this group, women like Heidi, are able to share their stories, worries and hopes with other lupus survivors.
Online support groups provide relief to those who are suffering from lupus and remind them that they are not alone. Due to the lupus community being rather small across Ontario, online groups are often the most efficient and beneficial. Lupus Ontario is an organization that dedicated itself to bringing awareness to lupus. Linda Keill the President of Lupus Ontario comments,
“Lupus Ontario is the largest Canadian provincial organization dedicated to improving the lives of lupus patients. Lupus is an incurable, chronic, complex autoimmune disease which impacts about 5 million people worldwide. Ninety percent of those afflicted with lupus are women. Lupus Ontario's mission is to provide vital support, education, awareness, advocacy and research through the fundraising efforts of our staff and volunteer community to help those living with lupus live longer, healthier and better lives. Our Goal is Life Without Lupus.”
Lupus Ontario is an amazing source for those women and men who suffer from the disease within the province. Olivia H and Barbra A from Oakville and Molly C from Georgetown are all examples of women throughout the Halton area who can connect through online social media because of their lupus. Although there are many other survivors who live outside of Halton who share their stories online and with Acton UP. Bridgid P of Northwestern Ontario shares,
“It’s been challenging when I first got diagnosed was In a lot of pain until I found out what triggers me. But, as the years passed it got better, got put on medication and was in remission and it let me have my daughter.”
As of right now, Lupus Ontario provides many resources to be an advocate for lupus and support the cause; more information can be provided on their website, here. Volunteer oppurtunities are also available to those who are interested and Lupus Ontario always encourages participants to be a patron; more information is available, here.
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