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Lupus Awareness Month to highlight ‘lupus warriors’

Published:Wednesday | October 11, 2023 | 12:05 AMKeisha Hill/Senior Gleaner Writer
Veteran lupus warrior and Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ) volunteer, Marjorie Allen (left), shares a light moment with Everton Anderson, CEO of the National Health Fund; Miss Jamaica Universe 2023, Dr Jordanne Levy, and president of the LFJ, Desiree Tull
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Veteran lupus warrior and Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ) volunteer, Marjorie Allen (left), shares a light moment with Everton Anderson, CEO of the National Health Fund; Miss Jamaica Universe 2023, Dr Jordanne Levy, and president of the LFJ, Desiree Tulloch-Reid, at the launch of the LFJ’s Lupus Awareness Month campaign on October 4.

OCTOBER IS Lupus Awareness Month. The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ) has kicked off its observation of Lupus Awareness Month under the theme ‘Lup-US – You, Me, Us: StrongerTogether.

Everton Anderson, chief executive officer, National Health Fund (NHF), was the keynote speaker at this year’s launch. “Lupus is known as the silent illness, but it cannot be denied that it is a very serious one,” Anderson said. “I am proud that as a country, we are amplifying the condition, and the need surrounding it, since Jamaica has one of the highest rates of diagnosis worldwide.”

Miss Jamaica Universe 2023, Dr Jordanne Levy, made a special appearance. She said that support for persons affected by lupus is the number one thing to push for. “Having a community where we all feel safe, where we all feel heard is very important, so what the Lupus Foundation is doing is very commendable in providing that community for people to feel seen and feel heard,” she noted.

A series of print and video features themed ‘This is Lupus’ will also highlight inspiring lupus warriors who are “surviving and thriving” in spite of lupus.

The foundation acknowledged the leadership of the NHF for significant support to the lupus community through the inclusion of lupus since 2019 in the Individual Benefits Programme, which provides drug subsidies to persons using private sector pharmacies for critical medications used to treat the illness. The NHF also operates pharmacies in the public sector, where medications are accessed free of charge, and administers the Ministry of Health & Wellness’ Compassionate Fund, which assists with various healthcare costs on a case-by-case basis.

The participation and endorsement of Dr Jordanne Levy is also expected to provide an added thrust to the campaign.

Major sponsors of the campaign include Partners Interventions Centre of Jamaica, National Health Fund, Medical Products Limited, and Ipca Laboratories.

The foundation is inviting corporate Jamaica as well as the wider public to support the effort by donating, volunteering, and participating in all events and to learn more by visiting the foundation’s website and social media platforms.

• Oct 15 – LFJ’s annual fundraising lapathon event – Laps for Lupus Awareness at Emancipation Park.

• Oct 22 – Free annual Hybrid Lupus Symposium – Hybrid focusing on lupus and cardiovascular health.