May has been designated as Lupus Awareness Month, a time when organisations around the world hold events and education sessions about the chronic autoimmune condition.
On Thursday, 16 May, Wings of Hope Lupus Support Group Cayman Islands and the Health Services Authority will be hosting a free lupus awareness event to shine the spotlight on the incurable disease.
It is the second such event to be held in the Cayman Islands, with the first being last May.
Wings of Hope Lupus Support Group Cayman Islands founder Reshma Ragoonath, who has been living with the disease for 14 years, said raising awareness is essential to achieving an understanding within the community about the struggles those suffering with lupus go through.
“Knowledge is power in so many ways. Having an informed and educated community can help take some of the mental and emotional strain that comes with living with lupus. There is great value in compassion and empathy when you have a greater understanding of the plight of others,” she said.
The Lupus Foundation of America defines lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body.
“It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead. Lupus most commonly affects your skin, joints, internal organs, like your kidneys and heart. Because lupus affects many parts of the body, it can cause a lot of different symptoms,” a Lupus Foundation of America article said.
The symptoms worsen during ‘flares’, which is when the disease is active.
HSA Medical Director Dr. Delroy Jefferson stressed the need for awareness of somewhat mysterious disease.
“Through collaboration with the Wings of Hope Lupus Support Group, we want to empower and educate people about lupus in the Cayman Islands. Our goal for this event is to raise awareness, provide vital information, and foster understanding, support, and hope for those who are navigating the complexities of this often misunderstood condition,” Jefferson said.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF LUPUS:
• Extreme fatigue
• Cognitive issues• Painful or swollen joints
• Fever
• Anemia• Butterfly-shaped rash on the face or other disfiguring rashes
• Photosensitivity
• Hair loss• Abnormal blood clotting
• Mouth or nose ulcers
• Chest pain when breathing deeply• Fingers turning white and/ or blue when cold
The lupus awareness event will feature a presentation from consultant internal medicine physician Dr. Schade Stanton on preventative care in patients with lupus, which will address lifestyle changes, checkups and screenings that are recommended for people with lupus.
Doctors Hospital rheumatologist Dr. Sharon Chambers will speak on research into the disease and the local context of its prevalence.
HSA nephrologist Dr. Racquel Lowe-Jones will speak on lupus nephritis, and clinical dietician Mia Zurita will be speaking on nutrition in relation to lupus.
Integra dermatologist Dr. Allison Duncan will also be presenting on lupus and how it affects the skin.
The free lupus awareness event will be held at the HSA Hibiscus Room from 4pm to 6pm on 16 May.
Editor’s note: Reshma Ragoonath is a journalist at the Cayman Compass.
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