Lupus Awareness Day in Ontario
On July 24, 2021, Markham MPP, Billy Pang, presented Lupus Ontario with the official Royal Assent Document which puts into law Bill 112 recognizing May 10th as Lupus Awareness Day in the Province of Ontario. Lupus Ontario is very grateful to MPP Pang and to Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, Michael Tibollo, for believing in our cause and pushing Bill 112 through the Legislature. We are also very grateful to all the lupus warriors who came to Queens Park to show support for the first reading of the Bill. We are hopeful that this official recognition of lupus and Lupus Awareness Day will position us well to advocate for better services and support for the lupus community.
Lupus Awareness Day Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 12 – Bill 112
CHAPTER 12
An Act to proclaim Lupus Awareness Day
Assented to May 12, 2021
Preamble:
Lupus is an auto-immune disease which is typically characterized by inflammation in one or more parts of the body. It belongs to the family of diseases that includes rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes and scleroderma.
The disease affects one out of every 1,000 Canadian men, women and children. However, women are eight times more likely to contract the disease, particularly women between the ages of 15 to 45 years.
Although the cause of the disease still remains largely unknown, certain properties of the disease are discernible. Lupus attacks the body’s immune system, leaving it unable to differentiate between intruders and healthy tissue. As a result, vital organs are damaged, causing pain and organ dysfunction in the body.
The diagnosis and treatment for lupus are improving, allowing most people with lupus to live active and productive lives. Increasingly, the disease can be treated and controlled. It may come and go in cycles or, in a few cases, go into a permanent remission. However, sometimes lupus cannot be controlled and is fatal.
A better understanding of the disease and its symptoms are conducive to improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Proclaiming a day of awareness of lupus will help to inspire, inform and support individuals with lupus and others. Many countries in the world, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom, have recognized May 10 as World Lupus Day and associate the colour purple with that day.
Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
Lupus Awareness Day
1 (1) May 10 in each year is recognized as Lupus Awareness Day.
Same
(2) On Lupus Awareness Day, all Ontarians are encouraged to wear an item of the colour purple.