WASHINGTON, DC—(Marketwired – May 01, 2015) – To kick off Lupus Awareness Month, the Lupus Foundation of America launched a new national multi–media campaign encouraging the public to KNOW LUPUS. The KNOW LUPUS campaign will drive funds for lupus research and increase public understanding of this devastating, misunderstood autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. Everyone needs to KNOW lupus to create a future with NO lupus.
Research shows that nearly two–thirds of the public knows little or nothing about lupus beyond the name. And despite the widespread prevalence of lupus, medical research has remained underfunded relative to its scope and devastation.
The KNOW LUPUS campaign features a series of television public service announcements (PSAs) that will be rolled out over the next year. They include a collection of testimonials and statements from people with lupus and celebrity advocates, including Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Lucci, Ian Harding, and the cast of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., among others. The PSAs were created and produced by Insomnia. Â
The PSAs will drive people to www.lupus.org/know and encourage them to take the challenge and play an online, animated and interactive game that engages audiences to KNOW LUPUS and make a donation to lupus research so we have a future with NO lupus. Viget developed the KNOW LUPUS game.
Exagen Diagnostics
and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals are sponsors of the campaign.
“Lupus is more pervasive and more severe than people think, and has an impact that the public doesn't realize,” said Sandra C. Raymond, President and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America. Â “We need more research so we can find better treatments, and we need more people to join us in the fight if we are going to end the devastating impact of the disease. That's why we are asking the public to KNOW LUPUS so we can create a future with NO LUPUS.”
Lupus Awareness Month provides people around the world the opportunity to unite and raise awareness of this misunderstood disease. Here are some ways to help others to KNOW LUPUS:
Take the KNOW LUPUS Challenge: Play the KNOW LUPUS card game and test your understanding of this cruel disease and challenge others to KNOW LUPUS. Each time someone takes the KNOW LUPUS challenge, the Lupus Foundation of America National Board Chair's family will donate $1 to lupus research up to $50,000. Visit lupus.org/know.
Participate in Put On Purple Day on Friday, May 15: Encourage patients, friends, family, co–workers to wear purple proudly on  this day and tell people why.
Fundraise Your Way: Host a fundraiser and awareness  event in your community. Visit lupus.org/awareness for ideas to get started.
Walk to End Lupus Now(TM): Find a Lupus Foundation of America Walk in your community, and put together a team of walkers. Every step raises money for lupus research and education programs. Visit WalkToEndLupusNow.org to learn more.
For more information about the KNOW LUPUS campaign and ways to take action and join the fight, visit the Lupus Foundation of America's website at lupus.org/know.
About Lupus
Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with, and a challenge to treat. Lupus is a cruel mystery because it is hidden from view and undefined, has a range of symptoms, strikes without warning, and has no known cause and no known cure. Its health effects can range from a skin rash to a heart attack. Lupus is debilitating and destructive and can be fatal, yet research on lupus has not kept pace with research for other diseases of similar scope and devastation. For more information, visit lupus.org.
About the Lupus Foundation of America
The Lupus Foundation of America is the only national force devoted to solving the mystery of lupus, one of the world's cruelest, most unpredictable and devastating diseases, while giving caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact. Through a comprehensive program of research, education, and advocacy, we lead the fight to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus.Â
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