Maple Ridge city hall will be glowing purple as part of the national Lights for Lupus campaign.
This year landmarks in nine communities across the province will be decorated in purple lights, marking the largest-ever provincial show of support for World Lupus Day.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease and is often called “the disease with a thousand faces” because of its complex and often invisible symptoms, which can take years to diagnose.
“It affects approximately one in every 1,000 Canadians and around five million people worldwide,” explained Dr. Antonio Avina-Zubieta, professor of medicine and head of rheumatology at the University of British Columbia.
The disease causes the immune system to attack healthy organs and tissues, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs and brain.
If left untreated, it can lead to irreversible organ damage and premature mortality. Common symptoms include extreme fatigue, unexplained fever, skin rashes, joint swelling, shortness of breath at rest, sun sensitivity and flu-like symptoms alongside abnormal blood test results, said the doctor.
Many of the symptoms can limit sufferers’ abilities to engage in daily activities like school, work and parenting.
And, despite its serious and potentially life-threatening nature, awareness of lupus remains low, with misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis continuing to affect patients, their families and the health-care system.
“While lupus can affect anyone, it is most commonly diagnosed in women between the ages of 18 and 44, though children can be affected too,” said Avina-Zubieta, adding that people living with lupus may look completely healthy, but behind the scenes many are managing overwhelming fatigue, chronic pain, anxiety and difficult side effects from treatments such as immunosuppressive medications.
“An earlier diagnosis followed by prompt intervention can positively change the outcome of this disease,” added Avina-Zubieta.
There is currently no cure.
In addition to Maple Ridge city hall, BC Place, Sails of Light, Science World, and the convention centre in Vancouver will be lit up, on Sunday, May 10, along with: the B.C. Legislature in Victoria; Fitzsimmons Bridge in Whistler; Pinetree Way and the fountain at Lafarge Lake and city hall in Port Coquitlam; The Bastion in Nanaimo; District of Sechelt municipal hall; Kinnaird Interchange Overpass in Castlegar; Victoria Street Bridge in Trail; and Williams Lake city hall.
These represent some of the province’s most recognizable sites.
“Every additional landmark lighting up purple represents another step toward making lupus visible,” says Ivana Cecic, executive director of the B.C. Lupus Society.
“For a disease that is so often overlooked, that visibility can make a real difference in how quickly people are diagnosed and supported.”
Lupus Awareness month in May.
Businesses are encouraged to take part in Lights for Lupus by lighting their windows and facades in purple on May 10, and people can take part by wearing purple on World Lupus Day as a visible way to support those living with lupus and to remember those who suffered and died from the disease.
To further support awareness and education, the B.C. Lupus Society – founded more than 45 years ago to raise awareness, advance research, and support individuals affected by lupus – will host its 35th annual B.C. Lupus Symposium on Saturday, May 9, a day focused on learning, connection and community.
Tickets and additional information are available on https://www.eventbrite.ca/.