* Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease of the immune system that causes inflammation of various parts of the body. The immune system - designed to protect the body against virus, bacteria or foreign material - produces anti-bodies that attack the person’s own tissue or organs.

* Lupus can effect the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, brain and/or other body organs or systems.

* Lupus is the least known of all major diseases. Lupus is more prevalent than multiple sclerosis, sickle cell anemia, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis and leukemia.

* Between 1,400,000 and 2,000,000 Americans have been diagnosed with lupus (1994 market research study conducted by Bruskin/Goldring Research).

* Lupus affects 1 out of every 185 Americans. Although lupus can strike at any age – in either sex - lupus strikes woman 10-15 times more frequently and most often during the child bearing years (15 to 45).
African Americans, Latinos, Asians and Native Americans are at particular risk - affecting 1 out of every 62 minority women.

* Lupus can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can come and go and can mimic many other diseases. Some symptoms of lupus can be transient joint and muscle pain, a rash caused by sunlight, mouth sores, low grade fevers, hair loss, pleurisy, fatigue, headache and appetite loss.

* Sunlight, infection, injury, surgery, stress or exhaustion can trigger lupus “flares.” (active stages of the disease).

* Only 10% of people with lupus will have a close relative (parent or sibling) who already has or may develop lupus. Approximately 5% of the children born to people with lupus will develop the disease.

* Lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening. Although Americans still die from lupus each year, more than 90% of those living with lupus can look forward to a normal life span.

* New lupus research brings results and increased hope each year.

* People with lupus can help control their illness by educating themselves, carefully monitoring their disease and taking an active part and adhering to the decisions for appropriate medication and complementary therapy.

* Lupus is NOT infectious, rare or cancerous.