On Oct. 24, 1988, the first lupus awareness observance which occurred in 1977 was moved to Oct. in 1988. The first month-long observance occurred when President Reagan signed Public Law 99-365, designating October 1988 as Lupus Awareness Month.

Lupus is a chronic disease in which there is always the potential threat of serious illness and disability. The disease can occur in men, but women in their childbearing years are the majority of its victims. Minorities, especially blacks, are particularly vulnerable; lupus is three times more prevalent in black women than in white women.