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Philadelphia Landmarks Go Purple For Lupus Awareness

By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Today is "World Lupus Day," designed to raise awareness of the disease.

Purple is the color of lupus awareness, and some area landmarks were lighted or colored purple --  including the water in the fountain of Love Park.

"Lupus is a disease that affects about 40,000 people in the Philadelphia tri-state area," says Annette Myarick, CEO of the Philadelphia Tri-State chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America, "and it's a disease that is underrecognized.  So today is all about making noise and raising awareness about lupus."

lupus fair mcdev
(A health fair was among the lupus awareness events today in Love Park. Credit: John McDevitt)

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Myarick explains that lupus is an autoimmune disease.

"Normally your immune system protects you from bacteria, viruses, and infections.  When someone gets lupus, the immune system is out of balance, so the body makes antibodies but can't distinguish between the foreign invader and self.   And so, the disease basically attacks your self."

For more information, go to lupustristate.org.

 

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