Cuenca Will Light Municipal Buildings Purple for Autoimmune Disease Awareness
Cuenca Expat Staff
Cuenca is putting a quiet health issue into public view this week.
El Mercurio reports that the event Vivir con enfermedades autoinmunes was held on May 19, 2026, at the Jardin Botanico auditorium, bringing together patients and specialists during Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month.
Why This Matters
The report focused on patients facing delayed diagnoses, chronic pain, disability, and expensive treatment. Gabriela Garate, a rheumatologist and representative of the Azuay chapter of the Ecuadorian Society of Rheumatology, said autoimmune diseases happen when the immune system attacks the body's own organs and tissues, including joints, lungs or kidneys.
El Mercurio reports that diagnosis can take anywhere from three weeks to 10 years. The warning signs mentioned in the story include joint pain, hand stiffness, fatigue, excessive hair loss, inflammation, and eye or mouth dryness.
The Local Campaign
The foundation Corazones Autoinmunes brings together about 500 people, including 400 women, according to El Mercurio.
As part of the visibility campaign, municipal buildings in Cuenca will be illuminated purple from May 21 to May 24.
For expats navigating the local health system, the useful takeaway is simple: persistent symptoms that keep getting dismissed deserve a second look from the right specialist.
Source: El Mercurio
