Thousands of arthritis patients are benefiting from the research funded by the largest non-profit arthritis organization in the U.S., the American Arthritis Foundation (AAF). Patients are also being given support in understanding and dealing with their disease. At the same time, the AAF has come to the forefront in a new trend which is uniting non-profit organizations and corporate sponsors for long-term relationships.
Rheumatoid Arthritis, the Leading Adult Crippler
Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers can now sign up for a program called “Let’s Talk RA” which has been developed by the joint partnership of the American Arthritis Foundation and Bristol-Meyers Squibb, a leading pharmaceutical company. With this program patients learn to aggressively manage their arthritis problems. They receive a free Let’s Talk RA communication kit, surveys to assess their health, and a number of informational booklets.
An essential part of the treatment for RA is for patients to be able to actively participate in their own program. The “Let’s Talk RA” communication kit gives them a good start, and the American Arthritis Foundation does everything it can to keep them motivated and fighting their disease aggressively.
Speaking Out for Osteoarthritis Sufferers
You may have heard someone say, ‘Oh, he just has osteoarthritis’ which makes the disease sound like it’s no big deal. For sufferers, though, it’s a very big deal. The pain and debilitation the disease causes them makes them want to give up playing in the game of life and spend their time sitting on the sideways. John Elway, who used to play football for the Denver Broncos, has become the spokesperson for an American Arthritis Foundation program called “Game Plan for OA”. He explains strategies to help control OA to patients. He also encourages them to “get back in the game”.
The American Arthritis Foundation participates actively in the fight and research surrounding the disease. It accumulates data from clinical experts and researchers who work in related-disciplines and compiles it into an annual report which highlights all of the achievements in the arthritis field during the past year. The AAF also takes responsibility for funding researchers who are working on finding ways to control inflammatory arthritis, a severe form of the disease that destroys the patient’s joints.
Even with all of the research that’s going on, during the years of 1985 through 2006, the number of arthritis patients rose from 35 million to 46 million. In fact, when it comes to chronic, debilitating diseases, arthritis ranks second only to heart disease. Thank goodness the American Arthritis Foundation is out there pouring time and money into the control of this serious “epidemic”.