Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) also known as Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease which means that the immune system, your body's defence system, produces antibodies that attack the body's own tissues, causing inflammation.

Hi, my name is Saumya Raj and I'm a 16 year old student in Bangalore. Over the last year I have been working with Lupus patients at St. John's Hospital Bangalore and this eye-opening experience showed me the lack of support both in terms of donation and social inclusion of Lupus patients.

This disease (It's complex nature is the reason people also call it "the disease of a 1000 faces.") is mostly present in women. In India, it has a devastating and large impact on women belonging to the lower-income class patients.

Lupus has no cure but it's symptoms can be kept under control with taking prescribed medicines regularly and applying sunscreen to protect the skin from UV Rays that can further aggravate it. I urge you to donate money that will impact Lupus Patients at St. John's Hospital Bengaluru as this money would ease the amount the neediest patients would have to pay on medication. These patients would be identified by the Medical Social Workers at St. John's and even the smallest amount would make a huge difference. Thank you for your time and contribution.