The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica Hosts a Transformative Day of Awareness, Care and Inclusion on World Lupus Day 2025

Kingston, Jamaica – May 10, 2025
The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ) marked World Lupus Day 2025 under the theme “Make Lupus Visible” with an impactful series of activities that ignited a powerful movement for awareness, inclusion and support for individuals living with lupus. Hundreds of supporters gathered in Kingston to walk in solidarity, receive health services and join hands in creating a more informed and compassionate society for lupus warriors.

This annual observance served not only as a celebration of resilience but as a national call to action. It brought visibility to the invisible struggles of those affected by lupus and reminded Jamaicans of all backgrounds that lupus is real, serious and often misunderstood.

The day featured two flagship events: the Make Strides for Lupus Awareness Walk and the Member Care Day Health and Wellness Fair. Together, these events provided both a platform for public education and direct access to wellness services and support for members of the lupus community.

Awareness in Motion: “Make Strides for Lupus” Walk

The morning began with a vibrant display of purple pride as more than 100 walkers gathered on Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston. Marching through Oxford Road and Half-Way Tree Road, the crowd carried placards, wore branded shirts and passed out flyers to passersby, many of whom stopped to ask questions or express solidarity. The walk culminated at the Winchester Business Centre, where participants were met with cheering volunteers and upbeat music.

The event was brought to life by the dynamic Tivoli Marching Band, whose pulsating rhythms drew crowds from nearby buildings and sidewalks, expanding the reach of the movement in real-time. More than a symbolic gesture, the walk served as a travelling classroom, turning city streets into channels of education and engagement.

Healing and Empowerment: Member Care Day Health and Wellness Fair

Immediately following the walk, the Foundation hosted its annual Member Care Day, a signature initiative focused on improving the quality of life for individuals living with lupus. The venue was transformed into a one-day health village where attendees accessed free, high-quality health screenings, counselling services and wellness consultations.

Free Services Provided Included:

• Health Screenings administered by the National Health Fund (NHF), including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checks

• On-site consultations with a stellar team of medical professionals:

• • Dr. Desiree Tulloch-Reid, Dr. Stacy Davis and Dr. Asana Anderson – Rheumatologists

  • Dr. Lori-Ann Fisher – Nephrologist

  • Dr. Kristen Hutchinson – Dermatologist

  • Ms. Samantha Thompson – Physiotherapist

  • Dr. Djavila Hoe and Dr. Hydie – Counsellors

• Wellness Support, including free physiotherapy, mental health counselling, customised care packages and a peer support zone curated to promote emotional resilience and social connection

The atmosphere was warm and uplifting. Attendees spoke freely with specialists, asked questions and received guidance in a supportive, non-judgemental setting. For many, it was the first time they were able to access this range of services in one place.

Tangible Impact: CG United’s Generous Contribution

An important highlight of the day was the announcement of CG United Insurance’s sponsorship, which will directly benefit ten lupus warriors across the island. Through coordination with LFJ’s Services Committee, CG United committed to funding the next specialist visit for selected warriors who are actively managing the cost-intensive journey of lupus care.

Once identified, each warrior will be invited to provide information about their next visit to a rheumatologist or lupus-related specialist. CG United will liaise with the medical provider and pay directly for the appointment. This initiative goes beyond corporate responsibility and reflects a compassionate model of community care, allowing individuals who often forgo critical appointments due to cost to receive the help they need.

The Foundation expresses sincere thanks to CG United for responding to the real, personal challenges faced by its members and for advancing LFJ’s mission to provide practical support to those most in need.

Inspiring Action: Partner-Led Awareness Campaigns

Across the island, organisations responded to LFJ’s invitation to “Make Lupus Visible” by hosting awareness campaigns and purple day events in solidarity with lupus warriors.

A standout example was the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA), which hosted a Day of Awareness and Wellness at its Kingston headquarters. The event featured lupus education booths, information sessions and purple-themed dress days among staff. Participants also shared personal stories and committed to increasing inclusivity and understanding in the public service sector.

In addition to JCSA, numerous schools, churches and private sector companies engaged in similar efforts by distributing lupus awareness materials, hosting staff briefings and sharing digital content through social media platforms. These decentralized campaigns extended the impact of World Lupus Day well beyond Kingston and helped create a national moment of reflection and understanding.

Event Highlights

• Participants: Over 100 individuals took part in the Awareness Walk and Wellness Fair

• Medical Team: 8 medical professionals provided direct services to attendees

• NHF Team: 3 staff members conducted vital screenings and offered health advice

• Safety and Medical Support: 9 Jamaica Constabulary Force officers ensured security while 6 medics from St. John’s Ambulance provided on-site emergency coverage

• Media Support: 5 members from the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ) provided live coverage and interviews for broader reach

Voices of the Warriors

“I think the warriors are very happy about what has happened today. We all know how important it is for somebody to be standing beside us as we go through all the experiences we have and I know that they appreciate what has happened today and we are saying thanks to everybody.” – Andrea Spence, Lupus Warrior

“Well, one word I’ve used to describe how I feel is gratitude. I’m grateful to the Lupus Foundation for providing opportunities such as these for us to come together and have fellowship and get information and get our health checks and really just to learn more about how to cope with lupus.” – Patrice Whitely, Lupus Warrior

A Message from the Executive Director

“When we say ‘Make Lupus Visible,’ we are not only talking about awareness campaigns. We are calling on schools, employers, churches and families to become more informed about what lupus is and how it affects the lives of people they know. Many warriors are silently battling fatigue, pain and cognitive fog while trying to maintain jobs, raise families and pursue education.

Inclusion means creating environments where those living with chronic illness are respected, understood and supported. Whether through reasonable adjustments at work or offering grace in everyday interactions, visibility must be paired with empathy.

I am incredibly proud of what we achieved on this World Lupus Day. We saw action, education and direct care in one powerful convergence. And most importantly, our warriors saw that they are not alone.”
— Tishauna Mullings, JP, Executive Director, Lupus Foundation of Jamaica

Gratitude to Our Sponsors and Partners

World Lupus Day 2025 was made possible through the combined effort of committed sponsors, dedicated volunteers and compassionate professionals who offered their time and resources to advance this cause.

Special appreciation goes to:

• CG United Insurance, for generously funding medical appointments for warriors

• Wisynco Group Limited, for providing hydration and wellness support throughout the event

• National Health Fund, for offering free screenings and personalised health advice

• JCSA, PBCJ, St. John’s Ambulance, The Tivoli Marching Band, and all other organisations who stepped up to help make lupus visible in a meaningful way

To every volunteer, donor, medical team and staff member who helped bring this day to life, we thank you. Your commitment created an atmosphere of empowerment, healing and hope.

About the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica

The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica is a member-based, volunteer-run organisation working to improve the lives and outcomes of people affected by lupus through education, advocacy, support and community engagement. Since its inception, LFJ has served thousands of Jamaicans through public awareness campaigns, member services, health outreach and strategic partnerships.

Join the Movement

Make lupus visible. Make inclusion real. Support the work of the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica today.
To donate or get involved, visit www.lupusfoundationjamaica.org

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