Lupus Awareness Month 2026
In Person
NYC Lupus & You Empowerment Conference- Reproductive & Sexual Health Across the Life Span
Saturday, May 2nd, 10:30am-2:30pm EST
Join the Lupus Foundation of America & Hospital for Special Surgery for LFA’s Lupus & You Regional Empowerment Conference - a free event designed to educate and engage lupus warriors, care partners, families and friends.
Virtual
CAR-T and T Cell Engager Therapies in Lupus: Are we Getting Closer to a Cure?
Wednesday, May 6th, 5:30-7:00pm EST
Join Dr. Kyriakos Kirou, Associate Attending Physician at HSS, Dr. Caitlin Gribbin, Assistant Professor Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Anca Askanase Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at HSS and Leila Khalili, Nurse Practitioner at HSS, as our speakers explore emerging immune therapies for lupus, including CAR-T cells and T cell engagers.
Virtual
Lupus Across the Lifespan: What to Expect and How to Age Well
Wednesday, May 13th, 5:30pm-6:30pm EST
Join Dr. Sarah Lieber, Attending Physician at HSS, for a discussion about living well with lupus. Learn what to expect as you age and strategies to age well.
Virtual
Beyond the Diagnosis: Mental Health in Pediatric Lupus Care
Thursday, May 14th, 2026, 6:00pm-7:00pm EST
Join Dr. Alisha Akinsete, Pediatric Rheumatologist at HSS, for an engaging conversation on how lupus can affect the emotional well-being of children and adolescents. Learn to recognize early signs of mental health concerns, find helpful resources, and how to partner with your care team to support both physical and emotional health.
Virtual
Strengthening the Patient–Provider Connection for Better Lupus Management (Fortaleciendo la conexión entre paciente y proveedor para un mejor manejo del lupus)
Wednesday, May 27th 6:00pm-7:00pm EST
Join Dr. Cristina Lanata, Rheumatologist, National Human Genome Research Institute, & Looms for Lupus for an important conversation on how strengthening the relationship and communication between patients and healthcare providers can lead to better lupus management.
This program will be conducted in Spanish.
Virtual
Lupus 101 & Beyond: Medications, Biologics, and DMARDs Explained
Thursday, May 28th, 6:00pm-7:00pm EST
Join Dr. Alex Luta, Clinical Rheumatology Fellow at HSS for an informative overview of lupus, key considerations for managing the condition, and an update on current treatment options, including medications, biologics, and DMARDs. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with lupus for years, this session will offer valuable information to support your journey.
In Person
Living Life Healthy with Lupus
Saturday, May 30th, 11:00am-3:00pm EST
Enjoy a day of tai-chi, hair, nutrition, massages and more to look and feel your best. Our lunchtime speaker, Dr. Carol Mancuso, Senior Scientist at HSS, will present Physical Activity & Lupus: Practical Tools to Support Mobility and Reduce Fatigue. She will be followed by Dr. Jordan Metzl, Primary Sports Medicine Physician at HSS, who will lead a live demonstration of stretches and simple movements patients can incorporate to support mobility. Lunch will be served.
Events in the Community
In Person
Lupus Community Education Event – Epoch News/New Tang Dynasty (NTD) TV in Flushing Chinatown
Saturday, May 9th, 12:00pm-3:00pm EST
Dr. Kyriakos Kirou, Rheumatologist at HSS, delivers a bilingual (English/Mandarin Chinese) presentation on Lupus Nephritis with real-time interpretation. LANtern® (Lupus Asian Network) hosts an information table to share lupus education materials, resources, and community support opportunities. For more information & registration, please contact Eliza Ngan-Dittgen at
lantern@hss.edu or 646.797.8338
In Person
Lupus Workshop - HSS/NewYork Presbyterian Hospital Lower Manhattan Hospital’s Chinese Community Partnership for Health in Manhattan Chinatown
Tuesday, May 12th, 1:30pm-2:30pm EST
Join Chaplain Elaine Chan, Spiritual Care at HSS, as she shares practical tools to strengthen mental and emotional well-being. For more information & registration, please contact Eliza Ngan-Dittgen at lantern@hss.edu or 646.797.8338.
The program will be conducted in Cantonese Chinese.
In Person
Arthritis Foundation of New York Annual Virtual Walk to Cure Arthritis
Saturday, May 16th
To learn more and walk with team HSS:
Virtual
LANtern® Support Group
Saturday, May 16, 12:00pm-1:30pm EST
This quarterly, peer-led lupus support group provides a welcoming space for patients/families to connect, share experiences, and receive culturally sensitive support. The meeting is facilitated by Eliza Ngan-Dittgen, BA, Peer Health Educator, Program Supervisor -LANtern®(Lupus Asian Network). For more information & registration, please contact Eliza Ngan-Dittgen at lantern@hss.edu or 646.797.8338.
The program will be conducted in Cantonese Chinese.
In Person
Teen, Young Adult and Parent Support Group
Thursday, May 21st, 5:30pm-8:00pm EST
Coordinated by Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat)® Program Coordinator, Giselle Rodriguez, LCSW, Senior Program Associate, Lillian Mendez and Kimberly Cabrera, Senior Program Associate. For meeting details, please contact Giselle at charla@hss.edu.
If you would like more information about our activities, please contact: Priscilla Calvache, LCSW, Director, Department of Social Work Programs 212.774.2108.
The Department of Social Work Programs’ mission is to support, empower and enhance the quality of life for people with rheumatologic and orthopedic conditions, and their loved ones.
The Lupus and APS Center of Excellence integrates treatment, research and education with the goal of improving the lives of our patients. The center features a multidisciplinary staff who uses innovative prevention strategies to ensure the best possible health outcomes. For more information email: LupusAPSCenter@hss.edu. Please visit Lupus Interventional Clinical Trials Program or call 212.774.2967 to learn more about our clinical trials.