The Lupus Foundation of America says lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body.

Their research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no large-scale studies to show the actual number of people in the U.S. living with lupus.

More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the US. It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus.

President and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America, Florida Chapter, Amy Yalden joined me in this 2016 interview to talk about lupus, Lupus Awareness Month and the work of the chapter.