May 15, 2026 – On May 10, the world observed International Lupus Day. Today Friday, May 15, marks Lupus POP Day, a day encouraging people everywhere to “Put On Purple” in support of those living with lupus, an autoimmune disease that often hides in plain sight.

For the past week across Antigua and Barbuda, Lupus awareness has been increasing as media houses facilitated conversations on the topic. The features became deeply personal during a recent interview on WTP Media’s Morning with Sly, where lupus warrior Jacqui Joseph shared her story of diagnosis, survival, lifestyle adjustment, and the daily reality of living with a disease many people still do not fully understand.

Jacqui described lupus as a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue instead of protecting it. The disease can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system, and other major organs, causing inflammation, pain, and long-term damage.

One of the challenges, as she explained, is that lupus often “mimics” other illnesses, making diagnosis difficult. Symptoms can resemble arthritis, chronic fatigue, or other inflammatory conditions, meaning many people spend years being treated for the wrong illness before doctors finally confirm lupus through specialized testing.

Ms. Joseph shared that her lupus journey began 17 years ago, when she was diagnosed almost “by accident.” While visiting her sister in the United States, she developed a stubborn relaxer burn on her scalp that refused to heal. Her sister, who had recently been diagnosed with lupus after experiencing hair loss, encouraged her to get tested. Jacqui agreed, confident nothing was wrong. The blood tests came back positive.

At first, her symptoms appeared mild. She experienced small lesions on her face and tiny bald patches on her scalp associated with discoid lupus, a form of cutaneous lupus that affects the skin. But years later, the disease became more aggressive.

By 2014, Jacqui began suffering severe joint pain, recurring fevers, and swelling in her fingers. The pain intensified to the point where basic grooming became difficult and even slight movement caused agony. Eventually, following local recommendations, she traveled to Barbados to see a rheumatologist. Shortly after returning home, her condition deteriorated dramatically, and she was hospitalised during what doctors identified as her first major lupus flare-up.

“I could barely walk at the time. I had to use a wheelchair,” she shared during the interview.

Following her hospitalisation, Jacqui spent nearly a year on steroids while adjusting to a completely new way of life.

Today, she manages the disease through consistent medical monitoring, lifestyle changes, and careful attention to her body’s warning signs. She visits her doctor every four months for blood tests to monitor her organs and says lupus forced her to rethink how she lives physically and mentally.

Processed foods are limited. Stress is avoided as much as possible. Exercise, especially dancing, became important for managing joint pain. She also keeps detailed records of symptoms and physical changes so she can identify possible triggers early.

Among the most debilitating symptoms she highlighted was fatigue, a common complaint among lupus patients. Jacqui explained that lupus fatigue is not ordinary tiredness. “Fatigue is not tired and you go lie down and sleep and get up refreshed,” she said. “You sleep for hours and still feel tired.”

She also stressed one of the invisible struggles faced by many lupus patients.  Because we often “do not look sick,” employers, coworkers, and even members of the public may underestimate the seriousness of the illness.

“That is one of the biggest problems,” she noted while discussing workplace experiences where people living with lupus are sometimes labelled lazy or accused of exaggerating their symptoms.

Jacqui credited strong family and community support, along with the Lupus Association of Antigua and Barbuda, for helping many persons navigate the disease. The association serves as a support network for people living with lupus and their families, providing encouragement, education, and advocacy.

As Antigua and Barbuda joins the global observance of Lupus POP Day today, Friday 15 May 2026, Jacqui is encouraging the public to wear purple and start conversations about a disease that remains widely misunderstood. “Early recognition and diagnosis can slow the effects of the disease,” she said. “Increasing awareness of the disease will save lives.”

This Friday, the purple shirts, ribbons, socks, ties and accessories will carry a message far larger than fashion. They will represent visibility for those quietly battling pain, fatigue and uncertainty every single day.

In Brief, what is Lupus?

• Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease
• The immune system attacks healthy tissue and organs
• It can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs and nervous system
• Symptoms vary widely and can mimic other illnesses
• Common symptoms include joint pain, fatigue, fevers, rashes and swelling
• Early diagnosis and monitoring are critical

Lupus POP Day

“POP” stands for Put On Purple, encouraging public support and awareness for people living with lupus.

Lupus Association of Antigua and Barbuda 

Those seeking support, information, or connection with others living with the disease can contact the Lupus Association of Antigua and Barbuda at 771-5864, 464-0006, or 779-0814. The association hosts monthly Saturday meetings at 6:30 p.m., offering education, encouragement, and community support for lupus warriors and their families.