California Senate Resolution Sets May as Lupus Awareness Month in State

A California lawmaker, Sen. John Moorlach, has led a successful effort to designate May as California Lupus Awareness Month. The state’s Senate approved the resolution with a resounding 36-0 vote — cheered on by California’s three lupus organziations, the Lupus Foundation of Northern California, the Lupus Foundation of Southern California, and Lupus LA.

The resolution (Senate Resolution 65) is meant to improve public awareness and understanding of lupus, and aid people with the disease.

Sen. John Moorlach and the lupus community of California. (Credit: Lupus Research Institute)

“Lupus has affected my office, as my District Director’s wife – Megan – was diagnosed with Lupus in high school,” Sen. Moorlach said in a press release. “Without the support of the Lupus community, Megan, and many of those diagnosed, would have nowhere to turn to as they look to combat this life-affecting disease. I want to thank the Lupus Foundation of Northern California, Lupus Foundation of Southern California, and Lupus Los Angeles for all of their dedicated work helping the Lupus community in California.”

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in organs such as the skin, joints, heart, and kidneys. Currently, lupus is estimated to affect 1.5 million people in the U.S., primarily women.

“Every day, lupus patients confront challenges from chronic, debilitating pain to kidney disease and chemotherapy. What gives these survivors the strength that we are in awe of is the message that they are not alone in the fight. With the message of support from their doctors, their family, their peers and community organizations like the Lupus Foundation of Northern California (LFNC) comes hope that they have Lupus; Lupus doesn’t have them. We are thrilled and grateful that Senator Moorlach and his colleagues are adding their voices to that chorus of hope,” said Erin C. Badillo, executive director of LFNC.

“Recognition by State officials of the importance of Lupus awareness and advocacy work, helps to support our Lupus community in their everyday life by validating their experience with this often invisible disease.  Addressing the needs of the chronically ill through government funded research programs and through better access to healthcare are important steps in finding a cure to this devastating disease. Lupus LA commends Senator Moorlach and his colleagues in the Senate in their efforts to bring forth awareness and improved care to the Lupus community,” added Toby L. Berkow, executive director of Lupus LA.