July 23, 2024

World Sjögren’s Syndrome Day is designed to put a face on the hundreds of people in Quebec who live with this disease, or who suffer from symptoms and have not yet been diagnosed. It offers all those affected by Sjögren’s syndrome a means of raising awareness and informing those close to them (family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc.) about the disease. It’s the ideal opportunity to raise public awareness of this life-changing disease.

History of World Sjögren’s Day

World Sjögren’s Day was created to raise public awareness of Sjögren’s disease. It is celebrated every year on July 23, the birthday of Dr Henrik Sjögren, the Swedish ophthalmologist who discovered Sjögren’s disease.

Dr Henrik Sjögren was a Swedish ophthalmologist who first identified the disease in 1933. Today, his birthday is celebrated as World Sjögren’s Day to help raise awareness of the disease.

In 1929, Dr. Sjögren met a patient complaining of dry eyes, dry mouth and joint pain. While each of these symptoms was already well known, it was their combination that Dr. Sjögren decided to study.