Autoimmune Awareness Month

March is Autoimmune Awareness Month! By raising awareness, we can help increase understanding, advance research, and create hope for those living with autoimmune disease. Learn more about autoimmune disease and browse the opportunities below to help us move toward a better tomorrow!

Before you get started, read our blog about the importance of raising awareness.

Facts About Autoimmune Disease

  • An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and damages healthy body tissue and cells, rather than protecting the body as it was designed to do. The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is not fully understood, but they are thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
  • Approximately 50 million Americans are living with autoimmune disease.
  • There are more than 100 known autoimmune diseases.
  • 80% of people living with autoimmune disease are female.
  • Autoimmune disease tends to cluster in families. If one person in your family has an autoimmune disease, it’s likely that someone else does, too — although they might not have the same disease.
  • On average, it takes 4.5 years and 4 physicians to receive a diagnosis.
  • Autoimmunity is now one of the most common disease categories, ahead of cancer and heart disease.
  • 25% of people living with autoimmune disease have multiple diagnoses, and certain diseases tend to cluster with others.

Learn more about autoimmunity
Browse autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune Expressions

View our virtual gallery featuring people living with autoimmune who disease who express their journey through art. Learn how to submit your own Autoimmune Expression!

View Gallery

Social Media Toolkit

During Autoimmune Awareness Month, you can help us spread awareness! Download our social media toolkit with graphics that you can share on your own social media pages. Raising awareness is critical to advancing research and improving care for people affected by autoimmune disease.

Download Toolkit

Organize a Grassroots Fundraiser

Autoimmune Awareness Month is a great time to call on your network to give for the greater good. Download our Grassroots Fundraising Guide to access great tips for hosting a grassroots fundraiser to support the mission of the Autoimmune Association.

Download Guide

Share Your Autoimmune Story

You have the opportunity to empower others by sharing your story as a patient or caregiver. For many, the reminder that they are not alone in their experiences with autoimmune disease is invaluable. Share your story to make an impact and raise awareness.

Share Your Story

Help increase Autoimmune Association’s impact

With your support we can continue to drive towards a better tomorrow for autoimmune patients around the world.