The Lupus Foundation of Dominica has announced a series of activities to mark Lupus Awareness Month, with a renewed focus on increasing public understanding of the condition and supporting those affected across the island.
President and founder of the organization, Glorine Thomas, said the initiative aims to bring greater visibility to lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that often goes undetected or misunderstood. She emphasized that this year’s campaign is centered on the theme “Make Lupus Visible, Strive for Change.”
The month of activities will begin with a balloon release ceremony intended to honour individuals living with lupus, as well as those who have passed away from the illness. The event will also recognize the role of families and caregivers who provide ongoing support.
Thomas encouraged the public to actively participate by wearing purple every Friday throughout the month as a sign of solidarity with those affected. She also highlighted the significance of World Lupus Day, which will be observed on May 10, coinciding this year with Mother’s Day, and urged individuals to show support during church services and other gatherings.
“We will also be asking the general public to wear purple every Friday in the month of May to show support to Lupus warriors and to make this invisible illness visible,” Thomas stated.
In addition to symbolic activities, the foundation plans to host a series of pop-up educational outreach sessions across different communities. These engagements are designed to provide information about symptoms, diagnosis, and available support, helping to reduce stigma and improve early detection.
The campaign will conclude with a “Strive for Lupus” walk, bringing together participants in a collective effort to raise awareness and promote continued advocacy for improved care and support systems in Dominica.
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