June 5, 2024 —

The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) expresses deep appreciation to the renowned singer and songwriter Halsey on sharing two powerful Instagram posts (June 4 and June 5) about their diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. Halsey released yesterday on Instagram a new song, The End, expressing their challenges and tagging the Lupus Research Alliance. Their candor elevates the conversation to shine a spotlight on a serious autoimmune disease that is often overlooked and misdiagnosed.

“The Lupus Research Alliance commends Halsey’s courage in using their platform to raise awareness and support for much-needed research to find new treatments and diagnostics for a disease that affects each person differently,” noted Albert T. Roy, President and CEO of the Lupus Research Alliance. “This is an extremely hopeful time in lupus with many potential therapies in development.”

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women, often striking during the childbearing years of 15-45. Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Asian/Pacific Islander people are disproportionately affected by lupus and are more likely to experience severe lupus symptoms. In lupus, the immune system, meant to defend against infections, produces antibodies that mistakenly recognize the body’s own cells as foreign, prompting other immune cells to attack and potentially damage organs such as the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints.

The highly complex autoimmune disease affects millions worldwide, with symptoms that can vary widely from person to person and change over time. The LRA strongly recommends speaking to a healthcare provider if you have these most common symptoms: extreme fatigue, skin rashes, joint pain, and/or unexplained fevers.

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About the Lupus Research Alliance
As the world’s largest nongovernmental, nonprofit funder of lupus research, the Lupus Research Alliance aims to transform treatment by funding the most innovative lupus research, fostering diverse scientific talent, and driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments and ultimately a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance’s Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations goes to support lupus research programs. For more information, please visit the LRA at LupusResearch.org and on social media at:  X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Lupus Fact Sheet

Media Contact:
Margy Meislin
MMeislin@lupusresearch.org
646-884-6025