Lupus Awareness Month 2026: Your Guide to Make Lupus Visible

May is Lupus Awareness Month – a time when the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) and the global lupus community come together to raise awareness and Make Lupus Visible.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans and at least five million people worldwide. Despite how widespread lupus is, awareness remains a major barrier. On average, it takes nearly six years for someone to be diagnosed with lupus from the first time they notice symptoms. Whether you live with lupus, love someone who does, or are just learning about the disease for the first time, there are real, meaningful ways to Make Lupus Visible in May.

Know Lupus and Help Others Know It Too

An easy way to spread awareness this Lupus Awareness Month is taking the Know Lupus Quiz. It’s a quick, shareable quiz that tests your knowledge of lupus – and a simple way to spark conversation in your own network about what lupus is.

After you take the quiz, challenge your friends, family members, and colleagues to do the same. Share it on your social channels and invite the people in your life to learn what lupus really is. The more people who understand the signs and symptoms of lupus, the more people will understand its devastating impact and the sooner those that may be experiencing symptoms may find their way to a diagnosis and to care.

Watch as some of your favorite celebrities and influencers take the Know Lupus Quiz:

• Colby Nixon 
• Shannon Boxx

May 10: Put on Purple for World Lupus Day

Mark your calendar: May 10 is World Lupus Day. This is one of the most visible and powerful days of the year for the lupus community, and one of the easiest ways to show your support is to Put on Purple.

Wear purple, share a photo on your social channels, and tell your followers why lupus awareness matters to you. The Lupus Awareness Month toolkit has everything you need to amplify your message – social media graphics, post copy, and more – so you can show up for lupus in a big way.

Shop To End Lupus

Did you know your everyday purchases can help fund lupus education, research, and support programs? Through the Lupus Foundation of America’s Shop to End Lupus Now program, our Purple for Purpose partners donate a portion of every sale directly to the Lupus Foundation of America. 

This month, we’re also excited to welcome a new Purple for Purpose partner: Da Bomb Fizzers. For the month of May their purple bath bomb will have a portion of proceeds that go directly to supporting the Lupus Foundation of America’s mission. It’s a fun and meaningful way to support lupus from the comfort of your own home. 

Game On! To End Lupus

All May long, content creators and streamers from across the country are joining together for Game On! To End Lupus (GOTEL) – a month-long event where hundreds of streamers go live to raise money, spread awareness, and unite in the fight to end lupus. Tune in and cheer them on, donate to a streamer’s campaign, or start your own livestream to end lupus. 

Lupus Education Resources

No matter where you are on your lupus journey — newly diagnosed, a longtime advocate, or just curious — the Lupus Foundation of America’s National Resource Center on Lupus has resources to help you understand and navigate lupus:

• What is lupus?: Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain in virtually any part of the body. Learn about the four types of lupus, who is at risk, and what it means to live with this complex, unpredictable disease.
• Common symptoms of lupus: From extreme fatigue and debilitating joint pain to the characteristic butterfly-shaped rash, lupus symptoms can vary widely from person to person — and can come and go over time, and even be fatal. Understanding the full range of signs is key to earlier diagnosis.
• Lupus facts and statistics: 63% of Americans have never heard of lupus or know little about it beyond the name. Yet lupus is among the top causes of death in women ages 5–64. Explore the data behind the disease.
• What causes lupus?: Scientists believe lupus results from a combination of genes, hormones, and environmental triggers. Understanding potential causes and triggers can help people with lupus better manage their health.

Lupus Awareness Month is bigger when we do it together. Take the Know Lupus Quiz, Put on Purple on May 10, and invite the people in your life to join you — because every new voice we bring in makes our community stronger. And if you or someone you love is living with lupus, know that you don't have to navigate it alone. From support groups, to ways to get involved, and programs and services, we are here every step of the way. Let's make this the most visible Lupus Awareness Month yet.