SASKATOON – The president of Saskatchewan’s lupus society says raising awareness of the disease is a major focus of the group and will help patients in the future.
Lloyd Driedger says more people know about the autoimmune disease than a decade ago, however his society’s goal still remains the same.
“More and more people will nod in acknowledgement when you use the word lupus, they have heard of it now,” said Driedger, who has been president of Lupus SK Society for roughly eight years.
However, Driedger added that there are still too many people who are unaware of the disease, making public awareness a “major thrust” of the society.
“Public education can’t start until there’s awareness,” he said.
Lupus is an incurable autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and can affect many different parts of the body, including skin, blood and various organs.
October is its official awareness month and Driedger says the society increases efforts to get the word out.
“The government becomes more aware, and if the government’s more aware then hopefully that filters down to the health system and as the health system becomes more aware, then hopefully that manifests itself in patient care,” he added.
Driedger’s wife is a lupus patient and while he doesn’t have the disease, he says patients can experience a number of symptoms, including fatigue, decreased muscle strength and trouble sleeping.
Around one in 5,000 people have lupus in Saskatchewan, Driedger estimates, however he said he believes the number is actually higher, due to patients not coming forward and the fact that it’s hard to diagnose.
“Lupus is known as the disease of a thousand faces,” said Driedger.
“The reason for that is of course because it manifests itself in so many different ways and nothings saying that it will be the same this month as it will be next month.”
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