(Kearny, NJ) – On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, Mayor Alberto G. Santos and Councilmembers Marytrine De Castro, Albino Cardoso, Peter Santana, Eileen Eckel, Carol Jean Doyle, Susan McCurrie and Gerald Ficeto joined Elizabeth SantaCruz and her daughter Miah Andrade, Caring for Lupus and TV Anchor Brenda Blackmon to officially kickoff May as Lupus Awareness Month with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Town Hall. Caring for Lupus will join in the annual Lupus Research Alliance Walk at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford on Saturday, May 11, 2019.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease of the immune system, one in which the system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake. The chronic inflammatory disease can affect various parts of the body, especially skin, joints, blood and kidneys. Women get it more often than men and it is more common in African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American women. Its cause is unknown and while it can be fatal, those with Lupus can expect to live a normal lifespan. To learn more about Lupus or get involved, visit lupusresearch.org or kellyfundforlupus.org.
Mayor Santos issued a Proclamation designating May as Lupus Awareness Month in the Town of Kearny to raise awareness about Lupus and the needs for research funding, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that will lead to a cure for this devastating illness that affects so many people.
(Photos by Elizabeth SantaCruz)