PROCLAMATION
RECOGNIZING MAY 10, 2026 AS WORLD LUPUS DAY
IN THE CITY OF HERCULES
WHEREAS, lupus is a severe and unpredictable autoimmune disease that can cause life- threatening damage to any organ in the body; and WHEREAS, lupus is a global health problem that affects millions of young women, men, and children of all nationalities, races, ethnicities, genders, and ages worldwide; and WHEREAS, there remains low public awareness and understanding of lupus symptoms and health effects relative to its significant impact on the lives of people with lupus; and WHEREAS, many primary care physicians are not fully aware of all of the signs and symptoms of lupus, causing people with lupus to suffer for many years before they can obtain a diagnosis and begin treatment; and WHEREAS, people with lupus need access to medical specialists and high-quality multidisciplinary care, including emotional, psychological and social care; and WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to develop tools that will improve patient and physician communications; and WHEREAS, medical research efforts to find the causes of lupus, create useful tools to monitor disease activity, and develop more targeted and tolerable treatments are under-funded in comparison with diseases of similar magnitude and severity; and WHEREAS, there is a deep, unmet need worldwide to educate and support individuals affected by lupus, including their family members and caregivers, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that I, Chris Kelley, Mayor of the City of Hercules, on behalf of the entire City Council, recognize May 10, 2026, as World Lupus Day on which lupus organizations around the globe call attention to the need for increases in public and private sector funding for medical research on lupus, education programs for health professionals and patients, and improved access to quality medical care for people with lupus.
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the City of Hercules to be affixed this 12th day of May 2026. __________________________________
Chris Kelley, Mayor