April Awareness Day 30 - Michelle
The initial Sjögren's diagnosis was overwhelming. Rampant symptoms left me feeling my worst, battling fear, anxiety, and depression. But with the help of exceptional doctors, consistent follow-ups, and dedicated research, I've gained control of my symptoms and reclaimed a relatively normal life.
It's a continuous challenge, each day presenting new experiences. However, with the unwavering support of loved ones, a fantastic medical team, and invaluable support groups, I navigate this journey one day at a time. With the right support system and a proactive approach, you can take control of your condition and reclaim your life, one day at a time. There is hope, and you are not alone.
Share Your Story
The Sjögren's Foundation began with the sharing of stories, and now, 40 years later, we are still working to keep the spirit of national awareness alive with our #ThisIsSjögrens campaign. Every day in April, we highlighted a different patient and show a glimpse into their life with Sjögren's. We hope these stories will help create a better understanding of this complex disease and let all patients know that there is support through this community.
Sjögren’s Awareness Month was first established in 1998 when New York Congresswoman, Louise Slaughter, read it into the Congressional Record. On March 19th, 2024, New York Congressman Joe Morelle introduced a resolution in the house reaffirming April as Sjögren's Awareness Month. Today, the Foundation works to keep the spirit of national awareness alive every April. Our 2024 campaign highlighted the many faces of Sjögren’s to expand our #ThisIsSjögrens online campaign and share your stories! You are the voice and the face of the Foundation and it is the collection of your experiences that truly portrays this complex disease.
Sjögren’s is one of the most prevalent but still lesser known autoimmune diseases, affecting an estimated four million Americans, both men and women of different ages and ethnicities. One of the difficulties with awareness is that Sjögren's isn’t a “cookie-cutter” disease and symptoms can manifest in various ways from patient to patient. Many symptoms are also referred to as invisible because you cannot see someone’s profound fatigue or when the disease has advanced to his/her internal organs.
This leads to a misunderstanding about the seriousness of the disease, which can be extremely isolating for those living with it. The Foundation wants to help close the gap between the reality of living with the disease and the perception that many non-patients may have by showing the faces of real patients, talking about how the disease affects them and how we are working together to conquer Sjögren’s.
Every day in April, the Foundation highlights a different patient and shares a glimpse into their life living with the disease on our website and social media accounts. While each daily post will only give a small insight into what is Sjögren’s, by the end of the month, we hope these 30 posts will showcase the complexity of the disease.
We hope you will join us in educating the public about Sjögren’s and encourage you to use April Awareness Month as a way to talk about the disease. Every day is an opportunity to start a conversation about living with Sjögren’s and how it affects you. Help educate the world that this is a serious disease and remember, the more others understand, the more support you can find.
