With May being Lupus Awareness Month, our latest installment of The Power of Purple offers some statistics and provides more insight into the auto-immune disease.

Just how much do we all know about lupus? How common is it and who does it effect? Well, nine out of ten adults with lupus are women and one in three lupus patients suffer from multiple autoimmune diseases.

While people with lupus can experience significant symptoms, such as pain, extreme fatigue, hair loss, cognitive issues, and physical impairments that affect every facet of their lives. Many suffer from cardiovascular disease, strokes, disfiguring rashes, and painful joints. And believe it or not, there are some who don't have visible symptoms.

With that being said, 65% list chronic pain as the most difficult aspect of lupus. The challenging part of lupus is the initial diagnosis. Lupus is known as "the great imitator" because its symptoms mimic many other illnesses and lupus symptoms can also be unclear, can come and go, and can change.

Believe it or not, while lupus is a widespread disease, awareness of the disease is still lacking. 63% of Americans surveyed have never heard of lupus or know little or nothing about this disease and its symptoms beyond the name. Which is why during this month, the Lupus Awareness Group of Guam hosted their 6th Annual Lupus Living and Learning Forum.

The group is dedicated to providing support, increasing awareness, and advocating for individuals and their families affected by lupus. Visit their page on Facebook to find out more.