Lupus Awareness - Yesenia (Spanish)

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can last for many years. It can be life-threatening and damage any part of the body, including skin, joints or organs. Individuals with the disease can experience a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, painful or swollen joints, fever, skin rashes and kidney problems.

The cause of lupus is unknown. The disease triggers the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy healthy cells and tissue as if they were viruses, bacteria and other germs. Ninety percent of individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus are women of childbearing age (18-44). It is three times more common among minority women than in Caucasian women. There is no cure for lupus however; it can be managed if detected early. In particular, minority women must be educated about the disease and its symptoms. If they suspect they have lupus, they should then ask their doctors for a medical evaluation.

The new PSAs feature real women who have lupus. They portray women who have symptoms that might be related to lupus but these women have not yet asked their doctors the most important question, “Could I have lupus?” The PSAs conclude with the tagline, “For answers. For support. For hope.”