LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
Celebrating a Month of Impact
May was Lupus Awareness Month in Canada, and Lupus Canada is proud to look back on a powerful series of national events, educational campaigns, and meaningful collaborations that brought visibility to lupus and amplified the voices of those affected.
From purple-lit landmarks and classroom art projects to national awards and global advocacy, each initiative reflected the strength, creativity, and resilience of our community.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this month a success.
Classrooms For A Cause
Inspiring Awareness Through Creativity
Classrooms across Canada joined together to raise awareness through art and education. Students explored the realities of lupus and created symbolic butterflies to represent hope and transformation. Thank you to all the incredible educators and students who participated and helped spread compassion, conversation, and community.
Patients’ Choice Award For Canadian Rheumatologist of the Year
Honouring Excellence in Lupus Care
This year, we launched the inaugural Patients’ Choice Award — a new opportunity for individuals living with lupus to recognize the extraordinary care and compassion of their Rheumatologist. Congratulations to Dr. Deborah Levy, our 2025 recipient, and to every healthcare provider who was nominated by their patients. Your impact is deeply felt.
Canada Illuminates in Purple for Lupus Awareness
Throughout May, landmarks across Canada lit up in purple to show solidarity with the 1 in 1,000 Canadians living with lupus. From Vancouver’s Sails of Light to Toronto’s CN Tower, these glowing displays helped spark conversations and bring much-needed visibility to this often misunderstood disease.
Thank you to everyone who shared photos and tagged @LupusCanada to help spread awareness far and wide.
In 2025, a record-breaking 75 landmarks across Canada participated in our national illumination campaign — thank you to every city and site that helped make lupus visible.
Want to help light up your city next year?
Lupus Canada has created a customizable letter you can send to your local MP, Mayor, or city officials to request landmark participation. To get involved, email Ariana Ranjbar, National Digital Marketing Specialist for Lupus Canada, at ariana.ranjbar@lupuscanada.org to request a copy of the template.
Let’s continue lighting up Canada for lupus awareness — one city at a time. View the complete Illumination Schedule from 2025 below.
ALBERTA
Alberta Legislature Building, Edmonton… May 10th, 2025
Telus Spark, Calgary… May 10th, 2025
Calgary Tower, Calgary… May 29th, 2025
Reconciliation Bridge, Calgary… May 31st, 2025
Red Deer City Hall, Red Deer… May 10th, 2025
Saline Creek Bridge, Wood Buffalo… May 31st, 2025
Lethbridge City Hall, Lethbridge… May 10th, 2025
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Science World, Vancouver… May 10th, 2025
City Hall of Vancouver, Vancouver… May 10th 2025
Burrard Street Bridge, Vancouver… May 10th, 2025
Sails of Light, Vancouver… May 31st, 2025
Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver… May 10th, 2025
Arms of the Cauldron, Vancouver… May 10th, 2025
Fitzsimmons Bridge, Whistler… May 10th, 2025
Civic Plaza, Surrey… May 11th, 2025
Centennial Park, Saanichton… May 10th, 2025
Victoria Street Bridge, Trail… May 10th, 2025
Delbrook Community Recreation Centre, North Vancouver… May 10th, 2025
District of North Vancouver Municipal Hall, North Vancouver… May 9th to 12th, 2025
Pinetree Way & the fountain at Lafarge Lake, Port Coquitlam… May 10th, 2025
MANITOBA
RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg… May 10th, 2025
WINNIPEG Sign, Winnipeg… May 10th, 2025
Esplanade Riel, Winnipeg... May 10th, 2025
NEWFOUNDLAND
To Be Announced
NEW BRUNSWICK
Moncton City Hall, Moncton… May 10th, 2025
Avenir Centre, Moncton… May 10th, 2025
Downing Street, Moncton… May 10th, 2025
Downtown Place (Plaza), Moncton... May 31st, 2025
Edmundston City Hall, Edmundston… May 10th to 13th, 2025
Beaurivage City Hall, Beaurivage… May 10th, 2025
Miramichi City Hall, Miramichi… May 10th, 2025
Queen Elizabeth Park (Town Square), Miramichi… May 10th, 2025
Quispamsis Town Hall, Quispamsis… May 5th to 11th, 2025
Saint John City Hall… May 9th to 10th, 2025
NOVA SCOTIA
Cape Breton Regional Municipality City Hall, Sydney... May 10th, 2025
ONTARIO
CN Tower, Toronto…May 10th, 2025
3D Toronto Sign, Toronto…May 10th, 2025
Oakville Town Hall, Oakville…May 10th, 2025
City Hall of London, London…May 10th, 2025
JA Taylor Building, London…May 10th, 2025
RBC Place London, London…May 10th, 2025
Canada Life Centre, London…May 10th, 2025
Sifton Properties, 195 Dufferin Avenue, London…May 10th, 2025
London Hydro, London…May 10th, 2025
Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls…May 10th, 2025
Peace Bridge, Niagara Falls…May 10th, 2025
Bluewater Power Distribution Corporation, Sarnia…May 9th to May 10th, 2025
City Hall and Springer Market Square, Kingston…May 10th, 2025
Welland Bridge, City of Welland…May 10th, 2025
3D Hamilton Sign, Hamilton…May 10th, 2025
Mississauga Civic Centre Clock Tower, Mississauga…May 10th, 2025
Brampton City Hall Clock Tower, Brampton…May 10th, 2025
Vaughn City Hall, Vaughn…May 10th, 2025
Bracebridge Falls…May 10th, 2025
Market Square, Guelph…May 10th, 2025
Penman’s Dam, Paris…May 10th, 2025
Carl Zehr Square, Kitchener…May 10th, 2025
Peterborough City Hall, Peterborough…May 10th, 2025
Collingwood Town Hall Clock Tower, Collingwood…May 10th, 2025
Ottawa Sign, Ottawa…May 10th, 2025
Performance Court 150 Elgin, Ottawa…May 10th, 2025
Peace Bridge, Fort Erie…May 10th, 2025
Life Size Water Tower, Sudbury…May 10th, 2025
Big Nickel, Sudbury…May 10th, 2025
Heart Barrie Sign, Barrie…May 10th, 2025
Quinte West Sign, Quinte West…May 10th, 2025
Gateway to the Trent-Servern Waterway Bridge, Quinte West…May 10th, 2025
Timmins 3D Sign, Timmins…May 10th, 2025
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
City Hall, Charlottetown... May 10th, 2025
SASKATCHEWAN
Confederation Park, Regina… May 10th, 2025
Regina City Hall, Regina… May 9th to May 11th, 2025
SaskTel Centre, Saskatoon… May 7th, 2025
Prairie Wind Sculpture, Saskatoon… May 10th, 2025
Saskatoon City Hall, Saskatoon… May 10th, 2025
QUEBEC
Montmorency Waterfalls, Quebec City... May 10th, 2025
Olympic Stadium and Montreal Tower, Montreal…May 10th, 2025
LUPUS 2025: Gateway to the Future
Spotlighting Global Innovation in Lupus Care
This May, Lupus Canada was honoured to attend LUPUS 2025 – the 16th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, hosted in Toronto. The congress brought together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and patient organizations from around the world to advance critical conversations about the future of lupus care and research.
For the first time ever, the biennial Lupus Congress formally integrated the patient voice through dedicated sessions and active participation. This groundbreaking inclusion marked a pivotal moment in global lupus advocacy, helping ensure that patient perspectives remain central to progress in both research and care.
Lupus Canada extends sincere thanks to Congress Chair Dr. Zahi Touma for his outstanding leadership in making this landmark event possible. We also gratefully acknowledge Jo Voisin, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Policy Branch, Health Canada, for helping launch the congress—her presence underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
As proud participants, Lupus Canada joined lupus-focused organizations from around the world to represent the Canadian lupus community on a global stage. Our team conducted exclusive interviews with leading international investigators, advocates, and patients—capturing the lived experiences and innovations shaping the next generation of lupus care.
Stay tuned for the release of these conversations as part of our ongoing commitment to education, awareness, and advocacy.
Proclamations for World Lupus Day
This May, provinces, cities, and territories across Canada officially proclaimed May 10th as World Lupus Day to demonstrate support for those affected by lupus. These proclamations symbolize national solidarity and help draw attention to the need for increased lupus research, awareness, and support services.
These proclamations reflect a growing national commitment to raising awareness, advancing research, and expanding support for those living with lupus.
Thank you to every municipality that helped make lupus visible in 2025.
Click on any proclamation image to view it in full size.
Cape Breton Regional Municipality Proclamation for World Lupus Day 2025
Cape Breton Regional Municipality declares May 10, 2025, as World Lupus Day
Moose Jaw Proclamation for World Lupus Day 2025
The City of Moose Jaw recognizes May 10, 2025, as World Lupus Day.
New Brunswick Proclamation for World Lupus Day 2025
New Brunswick officially proclaims May 10, 2025, as World Lupus Day.
Nova Scotia Proclamation for World Lupus Day 2025
Nova Scotia officially recognizes May 10, 2025, as World Lupus Day.
PEI Proclamation for World Lupus Day 2025
Prince Edward Island declares May 10, 2025, as World Lupus Day.
Alberta Proclamation for World Lupus Day 2025
The Province of Alberta officially proclaims May 10, 2025, as World Lupus Day.
World Lupus Day 2025 Proclamation – Saskatchewan
The Honourable Jeremy Cockrill proclaims May 10, 2025, as World Lupus Day in Saskatchewan. The proclamation will appear in the May 9, 2025 issue of The Saskatchewan Gazette.
Signed Proclamation Declaring May 10, 2025, as World Lupus Day – Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Acting Minister Dr. John Haggie signs the proclamation marking May 10, 2025, as World Lupus Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, showing the government’s commitment to raising awareness for lupus.
2025 World Lupus Day Proclamation – Manitoba
The Province of Manitoba recognizes World Lupus Day, joining communities across Canada in raising awareness for lupus.
2025 World Lupus Day Proclamation – British Columbia
British Columbia joins the national effort to make lupus visible by proclaiming May 10 as World Lupus Day.
2025 World Lupus Day Proclamation – Town of Newmarket
The Town of Newmarket stands with the lupus community by proclaiming May 10 as World Lupus Day.
Provincial Lupus Organizations Lupus Awareness Initiatives
Looking for local events or resources? For information about Lupus Awareness Month activities happening in your region, please contact your provincial lupus organization. Each province may offer its own programs, campaigns, or support opportunities throughout May and beyond.