Law firm takes STAND FOR LUPUS awareness
KINGSTON law firm Marc Francis Ramsay & Company recognised the month of May, Lupus Awareness Month, by changing their letterheads to purple and holding awareness talks with clients.
The firm’s associate attorney Lanesa Downs is a lupus survivor and activist, and the firm wanted her to know that she had their support.
“We wanted Lanesa to know that we stand behind her 100 per cent,” said principal attorney Marc Ramsay.
“We see her strength first-hand each day as she perseveres and pushes herself to do her best work. We admire her for that.”
Systemic lupus erythematous, or simply lupus, is a chronic disorder of the immune system and one of the least known major diseases. It results in abnormal inflammation of tissues almost anywhere in the body, including skin, joints, kidneys, blood, lungs, heart, and brain.
The firm decided to not only have staff wear purple, but to encourage clients to wear purple as well. Then they had a graphic designer redesign the firm’s letterhead to purple in recognition of the month.
“Our clients and those we corresponded with were very impressed with the design change to the letterhead and expressed their support for the cause,” Downs said. She also shared the letterheads with friends in her lupus support group and said the response was overwhelming.
The highlight of the month’s activities was the lupus awareness talk in which Downs informed clients about the disease and its impact on women.
“Many did not know that I had lupus, because I am always happy,” Downs said.
“But I let them know the challenges we face and how important their encouragement is to us.”
The firm hopes that in addition to raising awareness about lupus, the increased awareness will encourage the government to include lupus in the list of conditions covered by the National Health Fund. Lupus medication can cost over $40,000 per month, in addition to doctors’ visits and lost work days. Insurers also remain unwilling to extend coverage to people after they are diagnosed with the disease.
“We have formally offered our support to the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica to help with lobbying for coverage for people with lupus,” Ramsay said.
“We hope to see it happen this year.”
