Arthritis affects more than 180 million people in India - prevalence higher than many well-known diseases such as diabetes, AIDS and cancer.

In accordance with World Lupus Day, KARS(Kerala Arthritis and Rheumatism Society) together with CARE (Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatism Excellence) and Lupus Trust India, celebrated Lupus Day on May 14th, 2023 at MES Hall, Kaloor Ernakulam from 9 am to 1pm. The theme for this year's World Lupus Day is “Make Lupus Visible” which intends to raise public awareness about lupus diagnosis and its social, economic and psychological impacts. The event featured awareness talks by an eminent panel of doctors followed by Cultural activities and Luncheon.

The event was inaugurated by chief guest Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, a well-known Gastroentrologist, national IMA scientific coordinator and former president of IMA Kochi whose presence and his words of wisdom made the programme glorious. The guest of honour for the event was actress Ms. Mamta Mohandas who herself is an autoimmune disease warrior. She spoke on the importance of family support and care, how to stay positive, how to not rely on the fake advises given by people around and most importantly a message to the general public that “What lupus patients need is Empathy and NOT Sympathy”. The patients could highly relate to what Mamta had shared. A panel of Doctors comprising of Rheumatologist Dr Padmanabha Shenoy D, Dr Anuroopa Vijayan, Gynaecologist Dr Indu BR, Dermatologist Dr Shyna S Theruvath, Nephrologist Dr. BR Bipi and psychiatric counsellor Ranjini C. educated the patients regarding Lupus Manifestations, treatment advancements and their management. Question & Answer sessions were conducted and patient concerns were resolved. Information regarding various state and central government initiatives to help Lupus patients financially were shared by the Lupus Trust Secretary Mr Dinesh Menon. Patients were also advised on how to approach for these financial aids.

The purpose of the Lupus Day Event was to raise awareness about SLE and its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options. The event also extended support to recently diagnosed patients and their families, encouraging them to meet other lupus patients, introduce them to Lupus Trust where they could meet other lupus patients to gain/provide support and educate patients about Lupus. Lupus Day event also helped increase visibility of KARS as a platform to receive donations/ financial aid from philanthropists, good Samaritans and any willing donors toward KARS patient fund. Our goals were as follows:

• 1. Spread Awareness about Lupus, its manifestations, diagnosis and treatment.
• 2. Making Lupus more visible to the general public.
• 3. Extending the network of Lupus patients by introducing them to Lupus Trust and its activities.
• 4. Supporting patient doctor interaction to address concerns on pregnancy, skin and cosmetic concerns, lifestyle management and mental health.

Lupus patient Ms. Sony SD shared her journey of following her dreams battling Lupus and inspired other patients by conveying through her story that “They need not be ashamed of Lupus and to walk with their heads held high”. In addition to that a lupus patient’s father Dr Charles P John also shared his experience of accepting his daughter’s disease and supporting her. He also came forward to sponsor a patient’s treatment. The cultural session was begun by a solo performance by patient Anova followed by a semi-classical dance performance by Dr Libin Benny and Dr Harsha. A duet song was sung by pharmacy staff Mr Sreenath and Dr Maria followed by a group dance performed by the junior doctors Dr Shwetha, Dr Anusree, Dr. Merin, Dr Joicy and Dr Femi. The programme was concluded with vote of thanks from Lupus Trust Secretary Mr. Dinesh Menon. The event was conducted successfully with a participation of 200 plus patients, family members, volunteers, doctors and trustees. Patient Kits consisting of Umbrella, T -shirts, sunscreen, brochures and coupons for free dsDNA & Lupus profile test were distributed to all patients. Lunch and beverage were served to these participants following the event.

World Arthritis Day event was conducted on the 15th of October each year with the aim to raise awareness about arthritis and provide support for individuals living with this condition. The event held at JLN Stadium was organized by the Kerala Arthritis and Rheumatism Society (KARS) in collaboration with Shenoy’s CARE. This year 2023, the World Arthritis Day Theme was "Living with an RMD at all stages of life". This day sought to bring together individuals, healthcare professionals, and communities to increase understanding and support for arthritis. With the presence of distinguished guests, informative presentations, and a moving skit, the event left an indelible impact, reinforcing the importance of unity in the fight against arthritis.

Program Highlights

Walkathon: The event commenced with a spirited walkathon holding hydrogen balloons, where participants, including patients, their families, and healthcare professionals, came together for a brisk walk. This walk symbolized the importance of physical activity and joint health in arthritis management

Balloon Release: Following the walkathon, participants engaged in a symbolic balloon release. The colorful balloons ascending to the sky served as a powerful gesture of hope and solidarity for people living with arthritis

Medal bestowal ceremony: The medal presentation ceremony was a heart-warming and inspirational moment, reminding everyone in attendance of the strength and resilience of arthritis patients who continue to lead active lives despite their condition

Honouring Arthritis Day Champion : Mrs. Helen Monai, was honored as the Arthritis Day Champion 2023. Her extraordinary achievement of climbing Mount Everest up to the base camp served as an inspiring testament to the strength and resilience of arthritis patients. Helen began by expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to address the audience, acknowledging the significance of the event in raising awareness about arthritis. She spoke with sincerity, passion, and a touch of humility, captivating the hearts of those present.

Dr. Anuroopa extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to all the distinguished guests and patients attending the program. The esteemed retired Honourable Justice KS Radhakrishnan graced the event as the chief guest. He delivered an inaugural speech that emphasized the idea that "your mind is your best doctor" reflects the recognition of the powerful influence of mind that plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving one's health, and in some cases, it can even contribute to the healing process.

Dr Padmanabha Shenoy shared his expertise and insights on the latest developments in arthritis treatment and management. His talk provided valuable information and guidance to attendees. Dr. (Col) Vishal Marwaha, delivered a keynote address. Felicitation speech was given by Dr. Sanjana Joseph and Dr.(Brig) Narayanan. As a highlight of the event, the CARE staff and junior doctors performed a compelling skit. The skit performance primarily highlighted three major themes; Difficulty with Daily Tasks, Lack of family support and Understanding and the need for Medical Follow-up. The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks to all participants, sponsors, and volunteers who contributed to the event's success. This gesture highlighted the importance of collective efforts in raising awareness about arthritis. Following the formal proceedings, breakfast and beverage were served to these participants.

Conclusion: The World Arthritis Day event was a resounding success with a participation of around 200 patients, family members, volunteers and doctors. The event demonstrated a significant step toward creating a society that is well-informed and compassionate, understanding the challenges faced by arthritis patients, and It reiterated the significance of early diagnosis, ongoing research, and community support in addressing the challenges posed by arthritis.

On 10/02/2024, the Kerala Arthritis and Rheumatism Society conducted an awareness class at St. Sebastian's School Auditorium in Kanjoor. The class was conducted with the help of the Rajagiri School of Social Sciences department and was aimed at senior citizens above the age of 60 , 70 participants were present at the class. Dr. Anuroopa Vijayan conducted the class and cleared the doubts of the elderly participants.

The class began with an introduction to arthritis and the common symptoms of arthritis. The participants had many doubts, which led to an interactive session. The major questions asked by the participants were related to numbness in legs, knee pain, Uric Acid, and ESR.

The program concluded at 12:30 pm. Due to the interaction and the doubts raised by the participants, the coordinator asked if they were interested in conducting a camp, to which the participants agreed. Dr. Anuroopa Vijayan was honored with a gift from the community in appreciation of her contribution to the awareness class on arthritis. This gesture reflects the gratitude of the community towards Dr. Anuroopa Vijayan for her valuable efforts in educating and addressing the concerns of the elderly participants.

Overall, the awareness class conducted by the Kerala Arthritis and Rheumatism Society was informative and helpful for the senior citizens who attended. The interactive session allowed for a better understanding of the topic and cleared any doubts that the participants had. The willingness of the participants to attend a camp shows the success of the program in raising awareness about arthritis and its symptoms