An organisation made to spread awareness of an autoimmune disorder took to Hamilton’s City Hall today to educate passers-by in spite of the rainy weather.

The Bermuda Lupus Association set up tents in Hamilton to mark World Lupus Day, which aims to spread awareness of the disease.

Paula Williams, the head of the association, said the venue was well received, adding that she met a tourist whose family member died from the disease and that they were grateful.

Lupus takes place after an afflicted person’s immune system creates antibodies that attack healthy cells.

It affects about 50 million people worldwide, 68 per cent of whom are women, and can lead to organ failure as symptoms emerge over months or years.