DENVER (CBS4) – Colorado State Rep. Bob Gardner on Monday assisted the Lupus Foundation of Colorado by passing resolution in the general assembly declaring May Lupus Awareness Month.

Lupus affects 1.5 million Americans and 90 percent of them are women. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, in lupus, the body develops antibodies that react against normal tissue, leading to inflammation, pain, tissue injury and major organ damage.

Several lupus patients were on hand to support the Lupus Awareness Month.

“I want them to learn how hard this disease is and how hard the symptoms are and how hard it is to actually have this disease,” lupus patient Emily Adams said.
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“It means a start of the disease I have to be recognized for people who can be helped, who are young, and have a future with this disease and don’t have to hide it … it’s been a hidden disease,” lupus patient Diane Zelinger said.

For more information on lupus, visit the Lupus Foundation of America website or the Lupus Foundation of Colorado website.