WHEREAS, World Lupus Day was globally recognized on Saturday, May 10, and the month of May is recognized nationally as a Lupus Awareness Month. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue. It can impact on critical organs and disrupt the life of anyone it impacts. Women of childbearing age are particularly at risk, and 90% of all people living with lupus are women; and
WHEREAS, Significant progress has been made in researching the biological and chemical processes underlying lupus, including genetic markers and molecular defects that once treatable could reverse the disease entirely. But more research is needed to finally turn the tide; and
WHEREAS, It remains imperative that public and private partnerships work in concert to explore treatment pathways and opportunities to turn lupus into a footnote of history; and
WHEREAS, Lupus is difficult to diagnose, stigmatized, and in need of serious investment in education and outreach. Diagnoses can be accomplished earlier, medical professionals better trained to spot its symptoms, and individuals better prepared to successfully live with lupus; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is one of the primary spaces for critical lupus research, as our medical institutions and experts work every day to improve our understanding of the disease and treatment paradigms. The people of Philadelphia deserve fully functioning research programs that realize the dream of reversing the effects of lupus; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Does hereby recognize May as Lupus Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the Lupus Foundation of America as evidence of the support and admiration of the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
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