UNMASKING LUPUS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

In order to address the challenge of low awareness of lupus and support patients and the lupus community, LUPUS EUROPE and their membership organisations, started to implement a disease awareness campaign that would help foster understanding of the experiences of people with lupus.
The ‘Unmasking Lupus’ campaign, coordinated under the umbrella of LUPUS EUROPE consisted of an art competition in which submissions could be anything creative such as drawings, paintings, poems, photos, and are requested from patients, carers, families and friends, illustrating their experiences of lupus and what it means to them.Objectives of Campaign 

  • Raise awareness of lupus and its impact on people living with lupus
  • Help to de-stigmatise lupus and enhance empathy for people living with the disease
  • Strengthen the lupus community by showing those living with lupus that they are not alone and others know how they feel
  • Identify lupus ‘patient ambassadors’; lupus patients that can articulate their story to the media
  • Generate educational materials

Process:

The contest was launched at Cyprus Convention in November 2012. the competition information, guidelines, logo, microsite and articles for national newsletters/media were prepared. 8 countries participated, with their own national competition, some of which gathered 40+ participants. National winning submission were then entered into Unmasking Lupus Europe Contest

We have received absolutely outstanding submissions from all over Europe, and been really moved by some of the testimonies. in September 2013, the Judging Panel, composed of Prof Dimitrios Boumpas, Dr Marta Mosca, Prof Dr Matthias Schneider and Isabel de Ron, selected the winning entry.

It was no easy task to select the winner, as the quality of the submissions was really great. While we could, obviously, only select one European Winner, national winners have all reasons to be proud of their achievements. Well done! We will want to make sure that none of the work submitted by participants and by the organisers of the competition is lost. LUPUS EUROPE’s Board of Trustees is considering multiple options on how we can provide further exposure of this work within the lupus patient community and beyond. The testimonies and expression of what Unmasking Lupus really means to patients is worth it! 

The outcome:

On Thursday November 28, Stefania Viscillo was acclaimed as European Winner of the Unmasking Lupus Art Competition for her work “a Second Chance”.

Here is how Stefania describes her story displayed in the Acrylic and Glass realisation:

“Initially I was living in complete darkness because of a lack of diagnosis: for 6 years I have been looking for someone to tell me what I had. Thanks to Dr Afeltra, I finally understood what I had to live with. I started to live day by day, with highs and lows, always weak, no stamina, aching and often in pain, and two children I wanted to see grown up. I thank my husband for his devoted support and the psychologist who helped me.

I resumed my art studies to make art not just a way to express myself, but a way to help myself. I attended an Art Counseling Master, and made my dream come true: to use the art language to visually express feelings, emotions, understanding them, identify the behavior dynamics and give them a name in order to deal with them and change them.

These studies allowed me to unmask and finally see my face, my potential and the real ME. I learned to listen to my body, disclose its messages and, above all, follow it. I understood that, even though my life was no longer to be the same, I was given a second chance, a chance to walk other paths. Better paths? I don’t know, but I had the courage to make choices that I would never have made if I weren’t suffering from lupus.

I’ve got a better balance in my life, I feel more content. The symptoms are now regressing and, after so many years, it’s almost hard to believe! “

Congratulations Stefania! And together with you, we want to also congratulate the national winners and the so many participants all over Europe. This is great work you have done, testimonies over the many facets of lupus in our lives.

In Closing, we would like to extend a very big thank you to Yvonne and Peter Norton, who have lead this Unmasking Lupus project over the past years. The unmasking lupus contest is one more success that comes to their credit! Well done and thank you Yvonne and Peter!

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59 minutes ago

😨 Did you miss our #EULAR2025 debrief webinar?

😮‍💨 Don't worry! You can watch the full session at your convenience.

Catch up on all the insights shared by many of the presenters, as well as some of our volunteers and PAN members, on our Facebook page!

www.facebook.com/LupusEurope/videos/1257813502412444
... See MoreSee Less

😨 Did you miss our #EULAR2025 debrief webinar?

😮‍💨 Dont worry! You can watch the full session at your convenience.

Catch up on all the insights shared by many of the presenters, as well as some of our volunteers and PAN members, on our Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/LupusEurope/videos/1257813502412444
3 days ago

‼️ According to our "Living with Lupus in 2020" survey, 𝐔𝐕 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 for those with lupus.

😱 In fact, 𝟔𝟖.𝟓% of respondents reported experiencing sun sensitivity, making it a significant concern for many.

💥 UV sensitivity can greatly limit daily activities and impact the quality of life for people with lupus. Here are a few examples:

🏗️ 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬: Those who work outdoors, such as in construction, agriculture, or any job requiring prolonged sun exposure, often struggle to manage their symptoms.

The need to stay covered and protected from the sun can make these jobs particularly challenging.

🏖️ 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞: UV light can significantly impact social and family life for individuals with lupus.

Activities such as spending a day at the beach, attending park outings, enjoying barbecues, and participating in festivals or outdoor events become challenging due to the need for constant sun protection.

This often means seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly, which can limit spontaneity and enjoyment.

For some patients, the sensitivity to UV light is so severe that they cannot attend these events at all, as exposure could trigger a lupus flare, further limiting their ability to engage in social and family activities.

🔊 Join us this month as we share tips and strategies to manage UV sensitivity and protect yourself from the sun.

😊 Share your experiences and how you #KickLupus & UV light in your daily life
... See MoreSee Less

‼️ According to our Living with Lupus in 2020 survey, 𝐔𝐕 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 for those with lupus. 

😱 In fact, 𝟔𝟖.𝟓% of respondents reported experiencing sun sensitivity, making it a significant concern for many.

💥 UV sensitivity can greatly limit daily activities and impact the quality of life for people with lupus. Here are a few examples:

🏗️ 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬: Those who work outdoors, such as in construction, agriculture, or any job requiring prolonged sun exposure, often struggle to manage their symptoms. 

The need to stay covered and protected from the sun can make these jobs particularly challenging.

🏖️ 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞: UV light can significantly impact social and family life for individuals with lupus. 

Activities such as spending a day at the beach, attending park outings, enjoying barbecues, and participating in festivals or outdoor events become challenging due to the need for constant sun protection. 

This often means seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly, which can limit spontaneity and enjoyment. 

For some patients, the sensitivity to UV light is so severe that they cannot attend these events at all, as exposure could trigger a lupus flare, further limiting their ability to engage in social and family activities. 

🔊 Join us this month as we share tips and strategies to manage UV sensitivity and protect yourself from the sun. 

😊 Share your experiences and how you #KickLupus & UV light in your daily lifeImage attachment
6 days ago

🟣 Phase 2 of LUPUS-ALERT is now complete!

Thanks to the incredible contributions of patients and healthcare professionals from around the world, we are one step closer to creating a tool that will screen for vulnerabilities people may face during lupus care.

🔍 LUPUS-ALERT is a project co-developed by patients and clinicians that will systematically screen for vulnerabilities that can impact lupus management:

🔷 Associated conditions
🔷 Comorbidities
🔷 Social and economic context
🔷 Challenges and barriers — like language, access to medication, or distance to care

🙌 Thank you to everyone who has helped shape this project so far. Your input is helping shape a more equitable and person-centred future for lupus care.

💜 A very special thank you to Prof Laurent Arnaud and Dr Guimarães de Oliveira for their commitment and dedication throughout this process!

📌 Stay tuned — more to come soon!
... See MoreSee Less

🟣 Phase 2 of LUPUS-ALERT is now complete!

Thanks to the incredible contributions of patients and healthcare professionals from around the world, we are one step closer to creating a tool that will screen for vulnerabilities people may face during lupus care.

🔍 LUPUS-ALERT is a project co-developed by patients and clinicians that will systematically screen for vulnerabilities that can impact lupus management:

🔷 Associated conditions
🔷 Comorbidities
🔷 Social and economic context
🔷 Challenges and barriers — like language, access to medication, or distance to care

🙌 Thank you to everyone who has helped shape this project so far. Your input is helping shape a more equitable and person-centred future for lupus care.

💜 A very special thank you to Prof Laurent Arnaud and Dr Guimarães de Oliveira for their commitment and dedication throughout this process!

📌 Stay tuned — more to come soon!
1 week ago

🌟Thank you to all who attended our #EULAR2025 debrief webinar!

🙌 Especially to our presenters, volunteers & PAN members who shared their insights & experiences.

Stay tuned for more news and updates & don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter! www.lupus-europe.org/emails/
... See MoreSee Less