Today (May 10) is World Lupus Day and the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ) is marking the occasion with a free health fair at Emancipation Park in New Kingston from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Various medical checks and health services will be offered to members of the public, and there will be information and displays about the disorder.

The health fair is aimed at drawing attention to the problem of Lupus.

President of the LFJ, Dr Desirée Tulloch-Reid, outlined that the theme for this year’s observance is ‘Make Lupus Visible’ which focuses on increasing awareness about the disease and showcasing the “struggles and triumphs of the thousands of people who are living with Lupus”.

She said it is important that persons get involved in the awareness campaign and show support for persons with Lupus and for patients to share their experience.

 “We want people to be knowledgeable about Lupus; knowledge saves lives. It means early diagnosis, better access to care, and support that is so critical for good outcomes for people with Lupus,” Dr Tulloch-Reid noted.

Jamaicans can show their solidarity on World Lupus Day by wearing purple and lend support to other activities being held across the island.

Dr Tulloch-Reid is also encouraging persons to partner with the LFJ to provide information sharing, treatment and other support.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys and brain.

It can cause extreme fatigue resulting in difficulty with everyday activities such as walking or working. Symptoms vary from person to person, making diagnosis difficult and sometimes leading to misdiagnosis or no diagnosis at all.

The LFJ is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping those living with Lupus in Jamaica.

In addition to providing services through its resource centre, located at  7 Barbados Avenue, New Kingston, the entity educates physicians and other healthcare professionals about Lupus through outreach programmes, free public seminars and webinars dealing with symptoms management and treatment options, as well as providing a platform for sharing stories among persons living with Lupus.