May 2024: Lupus Awareness Month

WHEREAS, 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide suffer from the often debilitating effects of lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause severe damage to the tissue and organs in the body and, in some cases, death; and,

WHEREAS, each year thousands of people are newly diagnosed with lupus, the majority of whom are between the ages of 15 and 45, and 90% of whom are women; and,

WHEREAS, lupus is two to three times more prevalent among African-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans; tragically, thousands of people die from Lupus each year because a cure remains elusive; and,

WHEREAS, the symptoms of lupus are variable and health professionals may be unaware of the symptoms and health effects of lupus, people with lupus can suffer for many years before they obtain a correct diagnosis and medical treatment, demonstrating the need for increased public and professional awareness of lupus; and,

WHEREAS, medical research efforts into lupus and the discovery of safer, more effective treatments for lupus patients are under-funded relative to the more than 1.5 million people living with lupus; and,

WHEREAS, increasing community awareness and focusing public attention on lupus and its devastating impact on patients' lives will provide hope for a better future for those affected; and,

WHEREAS, we recognize the needs of those chronically ill people who are living with lupus and urge all citizens to support the search for a cure and assist those individuals and families who deal with this devastating disease on a daily basis;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 2024 as Lupus Awareness Month in Michigan.