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312190458
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National Lupus Awareness Month [1987]
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312190458
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National Lupus Awareness Month [1987]
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Correspondence, White House Office of:
Records, 1981-1989
Folder Title: National Lupus Awareness Month
Box: 82 (1987)
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digitized-textual-material
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Inventories, visit:
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/white-house-inventories
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/research-
support/citation-guide
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
Last Updated: 05/23/2023
DESIDENT INE 8 STATES OF THE UNITED
SEAL
National Lupus Awareness Month, 1987
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus is often called "the great impersona-
tor" because it can mimic so many other diseases. A disorder of the body's
immune system, lupus may affect the joints, the skin, and one or more internal
organs (such as the kidneys, heart, and brain) in varying combinations. As
many as 500,000 Americans-mostly women in their childbearing years-may
suffer from this autoimmune disorder.
Normally, an individual's immune system protects him or her from infection
by producing antibodies that react with and eliminate foreign substances. In
autoimmune diseases such as lupus, however, the immune system can harm
the individual by making antibodies that react against the person's own
tissues.
Scientists are not yet sure why the body's antibody-producing system behaves
this way, but they are conducting extensive research seeking the cause of the
disease. Their research studies include: investigations on genes that underlie
the development of the disease; research on a wide variety of immune system
components and chemical messengers; research on initiation of abnormal
immune reactivity; and hormonal studies. Such fundamental studies will lead
to the design of improved treatments that alleviate the symptoms of lupus, or
even better, attack the disease itself.
Thanks to recent research progress, lupus has become more a chronic disease
than the acute and often fatal disorder it was decades ago. Nevertheless,
deaths do occur, and new research findings and new approaches to diagnosis
and treatment are needed to eliminate lupus. A concerted Federal-private
research effort is working to ultimately uncover the cause and cure for this
distressing disease.
The Congress, by Public Law 100-106, has designated the month of October
1987 as "Lupus Awareness Month" and authorized and requested the Presi-
dent to issue a proclamation in observance of this event.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim the month of October 1987 as Lupus Awareness
Month. I urge the people of the United States and educational, philanthropic,
scientific, medical, and health care organizations and professionals to observe
this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day
of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-seven, and
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twelfth.
Ronald Reagon