Purple Pumpkin
for Lupus
Paint Your Pumpkin.
Share It.
Help Make Lupus Visible.
Help us reach 50 Purple Pumpkins across Canada and make lupus visible this October.
Purple Pumpkin for Lupus is a simple way to start conversations, bring greater visibility to lupus and show support for Canadians impacted by this complex and often invisible disease.
1
Paint Your Pumpkin
Pick a pumpkin and paint it any shade of purple.
Keep it simple or get creative. What matters most is helping turn attention toward lupus.
2
Display the Purple Pumpkin for Lupus Sign
Download and print the official Lupus Canada sign and display it beside your pumpkin.
The sign lets others know why your pumpkin is purple and helps turn your display into an opportunity to raise awareness about lupus.
3
Show Us You and Your Purple Pumpkin
Once your pumpkin is ready, snap a photo with your creation and share it with us by October 30, 2026.
Participating with family, friends, classmates or coworkers? Get everyone in the picture! We want to see the people behind the pumpkins helping make lupus visible across Canada.
Your submission will be counted toward our goal of 50 Purple Pumpkins across Canada.
Every Purple Pumpkin Counts
Submit your Purple Pumpkin by October 30 and you’ll also be entered for a chance to win one $50 Tim Hortons gift card.
No additional entry is required. Just paint your pumpkin, share your photo and you’re in!
Help Us Reach 50 Purple Pumpkins
Our 2026 Purple Pumpkin Goal
0 / 50 Purple Pumpkins
Purple pumpkins are popping up across Canada.
Throughout October, we’ll update our total as individuals, families, schools, workplaces and communities submit their Purple Pumpkins.
Already submitted yours? Invite someone else to paint a pumpkin and help us keep the patch growing.
How many Purple Pumpkins can we turn purple together?
Purple Pumpkin for Lupus: Photo Submission
Want to Get Creative?
Join the Purple Pumpkin for Lupus Creative Contest
Love decorating? You can also enter your pumpkin into our annual Creative Pumpkin Contest.
Paint it, decorate it, carve it or add your own creative touch. When submitting your Purple Pumpkin, simply check the Creative Pumpkin Contest box on the submission form.
We’ll select four creative pumpkins to feature on Lupus Canada’s Instagram Stories on October 31, where our community can vote for their favourite.
The Creative Pumpkin Contest is just for fun and community recognition. Most importantly, every submitted pumpkin helps us work toward our goal of 50 and raises awareness about lupus.
Purple Pumpkins in Schools
Bring Purple Pumpkin for Lupus into your classroom!
Teachers and students can paint purple pumpkins together while creating an opportunity to talk about lupus, invisible illness and the importance of awareness.
Create one pumpkin as a class or build your own classroom Purple Pumpkin Patch. When you’re finished, gather everyone together and show us your creations.
Classroom submissions will also count toward our goal of 50 Purple Pumpkins across Canada.
Want another way for students to participate?
Download our Purple Pumpkin colouring sheet for students to decorate and display at school or take home.
Bring Purple Pumpkin for Lupus to Your Workplace or Community
Purple Pumpkin for Lupus doesn’t have to stop at home.
Invite your coworkers, friends, family, community group or local organization to paint pumpkins together. Create a Purple Pumpkin display, host a pumpkin painting activity or challenge another group to participate.
Then gather everyone around your creations and show us you and your Purple Pumpkins.
Key Dates to Remember
October 1, 2026
Purple Pumpkin for Lupus begins and photo submissions open.
October 30, 2026
Purple Pumpkin photo submissions close. This is also the deadline to enter the Creative Pumpkin Contest and be included in the raffle.
October 31, 2026
Creative Pumpkin Contest voting takes place on Lupus Canada’s Instagram Stories.
November 2, 2026
Creative Pumpkin Contest winner and raffle winner announced.
More Ways to Get Involved
Share the Campaign
Tell your friends, family and community about Purple Pumpkin for Lupus and challenge someone else to paint a pumpkin purple.
Download Campaign Resources
Display the official Purple Pumpkin for Lupus sign and campaign materials at home, school, work or in your community.
Host a Purple Pumpkin Activity
Bring people together for a pumpkin painting activity with family, friends, classmates or coworkers.
Support Lupus Canada
Your generosity supports Lupus Canada’s work in research, advocacy, education and support for Canadians impacted by lupus.
A Look Back at Our Purple Pumpkin Patch
Need a little inspiration? Take a look at Purple Pumpkins created by our community and get inspired to create your own.
Looking for more ways to get involved?
Explore simple and meaningful ways to support lupus awareness, from sharing your story to engaging your community and advocating for change.