The nationwide Virtual Walk to Cure Arthritis event is happening on May 16 at 4 p.m. ET on the national Arthritis Foundation Facebook page and is a huge step in finding a cure for the disease that affects 1 in 4 Americans including more than 300,000 children. Support us from home this year by registering and starting your fundraiser today! http://bit.ly/2VdxUFZ

In honor of the 54M+ people in the U.S. living with arthritis:
✔️ Give $54 to start your Walk to Cure Arthritis fundraising.
✔️Tell 54 of your friends why you are walking (virtually) and ask them to support you by donating and asking their friends to join too.
✔️Move 54 minutes in any way that brings you joy (walk, dance, swim).

Thank you to our presenting sponsor Amgen, signature sponsor Sanofi Genzyme Regeneron, supporting sponsors Bristol Myers Squibb, CVS Health and select site partners Janssen and Novartis.

We wanted to share with you that we have launched our new website. The website has been designed to provide a better online experience for our arthritis community. Enjoy!

https://arthritis.org/delaware/

During the holidays, stress and overexertion can do a number on your joint pain, so how can you survive this busy season? Recent research suggests mindfulness can be a beneficial tool to managing chronic pain and reducing opioid use. But what does that even mean, and how do you get started? Listen to episode 2 of the Live Yes! With Arthritis podcast to understand the benefits of mindfulness and how to incorporate it into your daily routine.

Listen here ~ https://liveyeswitharthritis.fireside.fm/2

Arthritis Today readers share how they have handled parenting when they have arthritis.  

You have to tell yourself to keep going. Memories only come once in a lifetime.
—LINDA’S RA STOMPER 

My 29-year-old daughter has grown up with JIA and continues to battle it, so she can understand my pain from psoriatic arthritis. I try to educate my 10-year-old granddaughter. She is sensitive and accommodating when she knows I am having a tough day. I am a blessed Grammie!
—GRAMMIE’S DOUBLE WHAMMY 

 We learn to get creative in the energy we expend, taking the time to enjoy and focusing on things that matter and letting the rest go.
—SARAH CLOUD 

I raised two girls into beautiful, caring young women with my amazing husband. When my pain from spinal osteoarthritis became more than I could stand, I rested. I won’t miss important events or moments in their lives.
—ANGIERIRVIN 

I keep a craft cupboard ready for tough days. I have supplies with minimal mess like coloring books, crayons, stamps, Play-Doh and board games. Only a portion of the toys are out at a time, to avoid clutter.
—MARIAH ZEBROWSKI LEACH 

http://blog.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/said-handling-parenting-arthritis/#more-1603

Arthritis Today readers share how they have handled parenting when they have arthritis.  

You have to tell yourself to keep going. Memories only come once in a lifetime.
—LINDA’S RA STOMPER 

My 29-year-old daughter has grown up with JIA and continues to battle it, so she can understand my pain from psoriatic arthritis. I try to educate my 10-year-old granddaughter. She is sensitive and accommodating when she knows I am having a tough day. I am a blessed Grammie!
—GRAMMIE’S DOUBLE WHAMMY 

 We learn to get creative in the energy we expend, taking the time to enjoy and focusing on things that matter and letting the rest go.
—SARAH CLOUD 

I raised two girls into beautiful, caring young women with my amazing husband. When my pain from spinal osteoarthritis became more than I could stand, I rested. I won’t miss important events or moments in their lives.
—ANGIERIRVIN 

I keep a craft cupboard ready for tough days. I have supplies with minimal mess like coloring books, crayons, stamps, Play-Doh and board games. Only a portion of the toys are out at a time, to avoid clutter.
—MARIAH ZEBROWSKI LEACH 

http://blog.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/said-handling-parenting-arthritis/#more-1603

We are reaching out to you to ensure that you and your community are represented in one of the largest studies of arthritis based on the patient voice.

Over the past year, we have been actively listening to what people with arthritis have told us. We invite you to share your experience. Tell us what matters most to you. Already, more than 15,000 of these quick and easy-to-do assessments have come to us from across the country, and this is what people with arthritis are saying so far:

50% of our respondents were unable to or had much difficulty walking for more than 15 minutes.
Depending upon where you live in the country, regions can vary in pain interference by as much as 50%.
A quarter of the respondents feel that their choices in health care are not always respected by the health care community.

What can you do? Participate now. We want to make sure your voice is heard, too! Your personal experience with arthritis can help us change the future for those living with arthritis. By completing this easy 10-minute assessment, you can:

Influence arthritis research to make sure we’re focusing on what matters most to you.
Inform policymakers to make sure arthritis care is accessible and affordable.
Shape future resources, so arthritis patients have what they need at their fingertips.

Please complete this assessment now so your voice is heard — and share it with others who can lend their voice to this important initiative. We want to make sure everyone’s input is counted!

To participate ~ https://arthritisfoundation.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aeD3tmFT0pNSagd?utm_campaign=pro-insights&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWlRFME9ESTVOV0kzWXpCaSIsInQiOiJmdzE2bTEwdTFmVUxDaFwvVjMrcXhUNXBcL2Z2anUxTE1uekp6NnBMUkhFcG5SSVhxcVMydXhWN2FFdG5LNFwvc1JpZkN5U2hPR3BhK0tjMVZ4YmZPU2NadllZS1B5M25uMlwvMGU1Qm1vejZrblB3czBtSXU3SFFvUkk3dmNsbGpGMUwifQ%3D%3D

Friday, October 25, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Chase Center on the Riverfront
815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801


Arthritis Foundation’s 10th Annual Delaware Bone Bash will honor Michael Axe, MD & Honoring Michael Axe, MD and Lynn Snyder Mackler, PT, ScD, FAPTA.

Guests will be dressed in their Halloween best for this costume and masquerade themed event. The Bone Bash is a community-driven fundraising event that raises funds to support our mission to conquer arthritis and help more than 50 million Americans say Yes to a better life with programs, patient education, and community support.

The event will feature a full bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, exciting auction and lively entertainment. Guests are invited to come in their best Halloween costume, or in cocktail attire and masquerade masks will be available.

Purchase Tickets ~ https://arthritismar.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2019BoneBashDelaware/Tickets/tabid/1064678/Default.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1oh_2VePiEFwSJrYh9TupL0VGJ1oru8rCPi3c8M8DikKxweLNadzZJ_U4

The Arthritis Foundation made national news this week regarding our statement around new CBD oil guidance for adults with arthritis. As our local volunteer leaders,  I wanted to share the following information that was shared with our staff, and some background information for your knowledge. If you receive any questions from any of your colleagues, etc., feel free to share the attached document and/or connect me.

There was a segment on the "Today Show" Tuesday morning featuring the Arthritis Foundation’s new guidance statement for use of CBD in adults with arthritis – our story was also featured on NBC’s “Nightly News.”

https://www.today.com/video/arthritis-foundation-offers-guidelines-for-cbd-use-69737541795

Attached is a copy of the Arthritis Foundation CBD Guidance for Adults. We are also directing people to our website, where a downloadable copy of the document is available (Chronic Pain page and Legislative Position Statements page).

Why did we create this statement?

CBD has exploded onto the market this year.  It is increasingly available in retail and online stores nationwide. Yet there are no consistent quality and safety standards for the products that come to market, and no guidelines for how to use CBD.  We initiated this CBD guidance mid-summer based on the growing number of queries we were receiving from both patients and HCPs. 

How did we incorporate both patient and expert voices in the statement?

Our first step was to conduct a large survey of our constituents to assess interest in CBD, usage and benefits seen. 
This generated 2,600 responses and informed our letter to FDA during their open comments period in July. (A link to FDA comments is at the end of the CBD survey blog article, link below.)
We recapped the survey findings in a blog post.
We began working with recognized thought leaders in the field (identified at the end of the guidance document) to provide tangible, actionable guidance patients and HCPs can use regarding CBD. 
Last week at COC, we obtained valuable input on the draft document from the Patient Leadership Council members and the national Board of Directors, resulting in the final version attached here. 
 
What are our key talking points about this statement?

The Arthritis Foundation is listening to the patient voice to help influence our programming, resources, and research.  The INSIGHTS assessments provide an ongoing way for patients to make their voices heard.
This is the first official guidance document for patients with arthritis interested in trying CBD to manage chronic pain.  We worked with thought leaders in arthritis pain management to create the guidance.
Please always refer to this statement as the “Arthritis Foundation CBD Guidance for Adults with Arthritis.” This was developed for people with arthritis and does not apply to those with other diagnoses.
There are arthritis-related medications that could potentially interact with CBD. Please refer to the statement for details.

Arthritis is painful … and relentless. No one knows that better than those who suffer from it. Perhaps that’s you or someone you love.

An Arthritis Foundation survey shows that:

• The #1 goal of arthritis treatment is to “reduce pain.”
• The #1 motivator for seeking out information is “I experienced pain.”

For many, pain isn’t easy to talk about, especially during a flare. Not only does arthritis cause physical pain, but the mental and emotional pain that often goes with it can take a heavy toll, too.

Unfortunately, most people don’t realize the seriousness of arthritis. Or even know it’s an authentic disease (in fact, it’s a family of diseases comprising more than 100 types).

Another survey shows that fewer than 1 in 10 people (7%) know that arthritis is the #1 cause of long-term disability in the U.S., and an estimated 172 million workdays are lost annually due to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.

Arthritis needs to come out of the shadows so that more people understand what it is and how it affects those who live with it. And what needs to happen to change the future of arthritis … and cure it.

September is National Pain Awareness Month. A time to bring chronic pain, whatever causes it, to the world’s attention. Chronic pain is epidemic worldwide. Arthritis is a major culprit, affecting over 54 million Americans and untold millions more around the globe. Conquering arthritis is a cause more people need to support because of its far-reaching impact.

Here are a few ways to do more, for yourself and others in your community:

Connect With Others & Grow the Movement

If you live with the pain of arthritis, or you care about someone who does, you can do a lot of good by connecting with others. Connecting is the first step. Share your story and help someone else. Let others help you.

It’s free to join the Live Yes! Online Community. You’ll find forums for whatever topic is on your mind. Join a conversation or start your own. Get your questions answered by arthritis health care experts. Register now.

If you want to meet face to face with others in your local community, check out Live Yes! Connect Groups. If there isn’t a group nearby, you can start one.

The Live Yes! Arthritis Network is the go-to hub for everything about arthritis. Your participation in Live Yes! Insights helps shape new resources and influence arthritis research and advocacy. Don’t miss out!

Take Control of Arthritis Pain

Take the pain quiz.

Download 45 Ways to Tame Your Pain, a FREE booklet from the experts you trust at the Arthritis Foundation. You’ll learn about effective ways to help manage your pain from arthritis and related conditions without a prescription. They range from lifestyle measures to techniques, devices, and over-the-counter treatments. Work with your doctor to find the combination that’s right for you.

Myths About Arthritis

The pain of arthritis robs many people of the simple joys of life, like lifting and embracing a child. It prevents doing everyday tasks, like getting dressed, preparing meals, running errands. Or fun things like playing your favorite sport or a musical instrument, because you can barely move.

There are many misperceptions about arthritis. Here are just two:

• Most people believe arthritis is an “old people’s condition.” In reality, two-thirds of those with arthritis are under 65. One in three Americans 18-64 years old has arthritis, which can develop at any age. Most people don’t know that nearly 300,000 children suffer from juvenile arthritis pain, which makes growing up even harder.
• For both children and adults, the pain of arthritis can be as devastating on an emotional level as it is physically. It often leads to feelings of depression and isolation. Arthritis contributes to other serious health issues, like diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Learn more about the many types of arthritis and the tools and resources you can use to life your best life.

Move the Arthritis Movement Ahead

Arthritis treatments have improved greatly over the past few decades. Today, with your help, the Arthritis Foundation is accelerating new breakthroughs and amplifying the voices of people with arthritis, demanding policymakers to put more money into arthritis research and make health care more accessible and affordable. Your involvement is crucial to achieving even more.

Help make arthritis and its consequences more visible so it’s not a forgotten epidemic.


http://blog.arthritis.org/news/september-arthritis-pain-awareness-month/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lyy_7&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWXpZME1HVTJZakF4TTJOayIsInQiOiJGZXE1RmtcL0RpY2dsc0NXQmRDejlxT1d2ZVhNdFh0Z3I0Mno5QU9UM082TlZ2Q3RCMEpRWkJORDQzaHZFOTFMTWU4K3NwUWxCVFMwRVMwbmdvQlI2TWl1WmlCYmFqUmQwaEdDOHZCSUxuaUd5djAwT0d2Yk5ENnNtU2V5TkpOU0kifQ%3D%3D