What are we doing?

We, the Musa family, are taking part in this fun challenge to help raise awareness during Lupus Awareness Month, for LupusUK (Registered UK Charity no.1051610) - October 2022.

Our mum (Akeela Musa) has lived with Lupus for 19 years, and we want to help raise awareness for the charity that helps others like her!

In fact, our mum herself will participate in this challenge.

The event takes place in October, and anyone can take part! Walk, run, wheelchair, cycle or skate a total of 31 miles throughout the month.

(https://www.lupusuk.org.uk/31-mile-challenge#wpcf7-f59731-o1)

What is Lupus Awareness Month?

Lupus Awareness Month takes place during October in the UK every year. It is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the disease amongst the public and medical profession as well as improving the understanding of the impact that Lupus can have.

By making people more aware of Lupus you can help control its impact. We need your help to raise awareness of Lupus, its symptoms and the effects it can have on people's lives this Lupus Awareness Month. (lupusuk.org)

But… what is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system is dysfunctional and mistakenly identifies the body’s own tissues as foreign invaders. In people with lupus, the immune system creates autoantibodies to attack the body’s tissues. These form immune complexes which cause inflammation and damage – possibly affecting the organs and/or the joints in some lupus patients. Lupus disproportionately affects females and people from Black African, Caribbean, and Asian ancestries. (lupusuk.org)

Lupus - that’s a strange name for an illness…

The word “lupus” is the Latin word for wolf. A severe facial rash, rarely seen now, called lupus vulgaris was once thought to resemble a wolf’s bite hence the name lupus. (lupusuk.org)

How can you join the fight against Lupus?

Help by sponsoring us… or better still… take part in the 31 mile challenge yourself!

(https://www.lupusuk.org.uk/31-mile-challenge#wpcf7-f59731-o1)

Thank you for your help and support,

Zainab and Yahya Musa, our mum (Akeela) and our dad (Aakil).