Random Facts About Lupus

The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., has many informative pamphlets and booklets loaded with information about lupus. I am using those items here to compile a list of random facts I believe everyone should know about lupus.

• First of all, there is no cure for lupus.
• Also, there is no single test used to diagnose lupus.
• Over 1.5 million Americans are living with lupus.
• Lupus can affect any organ in any person at any age.
• Over 90% of people living with lupus are female.
• The most common age group affected is 15-44 years old.
• People of color are more commonly affected. This includes, but is not limited to, African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asian Americans, etc.
• If a person has a family member diagnosed with lupus, their chances of developing lupus increase by 5-13%.
• Lupus consists of flares (increased disease activity) and remission (little or no disease activity).
• LUPUS IS NOT CONTAGIOUS.

This is just a little information for anyone reading my blog. Later, I plan to describe the pathogenesis (the development of the disease) of lupus. Also, I hope to have a post that will explain what a person living with lupus goes through on a daily basis.

Again, I am new to this. Any advice is appreciated. I hope everyone enjoys the information I am providing! If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to post a response. Thank you!

Introduction to The Great Imitator: Lupus Awareness

Hello everyone!

My name is Callie Rowell.  I am an Honors in Nursing student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  As an Honors student, I am implementing a Service Learning Project with the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., Mid-South Chapter (LFA).

Service Learning incorporates community service with academic learning about a specific topic.  I chose to partner with LFA due to the fact that I have multiple members of my family affected by the disease.   My project focuses on patient and community awareness and the psychosocial aspect of patients living with lupus.  The tentative plan as of now centers around three separate events: a Lunch-and-Learn, a Pub Crawl, and a Symposium. 

I will update my blog in multiple ways. If more information about the events is available, I will let everyone know.  I plan to utilize my blog as a form of community and patient awareness by posting information about lupus.  I also plan to write a few different literary reviews throughout the next few months, possibly longer, as I plan to continue my blog and a partnership with LFA following the completion of my project.

I am new to this, so any comments, inputs, or questions will be greatly appreciated. More to come soon!

-Callie Rowell

Helpful Links

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Service Learning Resource

Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., Mid-South Chapter

Honors in Nursing Facebook Page