Ad Council Campaign

Table of Contents

On March 31, 2009 Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H and model Mercedes Yvette in the Great Hall at Health and Human Services unveiled a national multimedia public service media campaign targeted to raise awareness of Lupus among women who are at greatest risk of the disease.

Created pro bono by Los Angeles-based ad agency Muse Communications, the campaign includes television, radio, print, outdoor and Web advertising, which will all be available in Spanish. The new ads feature real women in the target audience who have been diagnosed with lupus. They portray women who are experiencing symptoms of the disease but have not yet asked their doctors, "Could I have lupus?"

**Your Help is needed!**

Ads are being sent to media outlets all over the country.  These media outlets also have campaign materials from many other public service campaigns and they have limited ad space.  Volunteers are needed to call, email, write and visit these media outlets explaining why they should use the Lupus awareness ads rather than others.  The Lupus Foundation of America is doing media contacts and visits as well. Contact the LFA chapter nearest you to get involved.  We will keep you apprised of any other efforts you can join.  http://CouldIHaveLupus.gov

 This 2 year Ad Council Campaign will focus on Could I have Lupus?

"I have constant pain, and aching. I am not be able to work an eight-hour day"

"Simple tasks sometimes seem impossible because of my fatigue and forgetfulness"

"I get strange rashes on my skin, especially when I have been in the sun."

"Doctors can't even explain why I am having these symptoms."

"My family sometimes doubts my complaints, and grows tired of my “invisible” limitations. That makes me feel alone, anxious, depressed, angry, and very frightened."

If any of these statements sound familiar to you, you may have Lupus. Lupus can be totally different from one patient to the next, and most doctors are not properly educated about Lupus. If a doctor is not familiar with the vague symptoms that are common with Lupus, and routine blood tests prove negative, she or he may assume that a person who has Lupus is imagining her symptoms or is depressed. That is why it is so important to arm yourself with the facts about Lupus before you visit your doctor.

A Lupus diagnosis can be a difficult one to make. Typically it takes several years and several doctors before a proper diagnosis is made. Early diagnosis is important to minimize tissue damage.

If you think you might have lupus, please consider the following:

• What exactly is Lupus?
• What are the symptoms that someone with Lupus might experience?
• How is lupus diagnosed?
• If I do get diagnosed with lupus, what does it mean?
  • Are there treatments to help me feel better?
  • Do you have any tips for Newly Diagnosed Lupus patients?
  • Do you have any tips for Living with Lupus?
• Where can I go to get Lupus support?
  • Is there online Lupus Support?
  • Are there Lupus Support Groups? 
  • What other Lupus websites are out there?
• If I do not get a diagnosis of Lupus, where should I go next?