Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease.
#WeLiveYes: Rachel’s COVID-19 Vaccine Journey
Getting Vaccinated for COVID-19 When I received an email inviting me to sign up for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, I registered within minutes for a slot the very same day. My hands were shaking with excitement, even though I am absolutely terrified of needles. I chose to get vaccinated to protect myself as a 25-year-old immunocompromised woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I chose to get vaccinated because I provide telehealth social work services to COVID-19 patients and families, and the memories of this experience will weigh heavily on me forever. I chose to get vaccinated because I spent a month visiting ...more
The Arthritis Champions Scholarship is OPEN!
The Arthritis Foundation is proud to announce that the 2021-2022 Arthritis Champions Scholarship application is open! The Arthritis Champions Scholarship is generously funded by Dr. & Mrs. Walter J. Winterhoff, Dr. Smriti Bardhan and Alpha Omicron Pi. The Arthritis Champions Scholarship of $5,000 per academic year is awarded annually to deserving students with arthritis or a related rheumatic disease who: Impact the arthritis community, serving as positive role models and leaders Live their best life while empowering others to do the same Since 2010 the Arthritis Champions Scholarship has supported 51 college students, awarding nearly $570,000 altogether in scholarship awards. Each eligible ...more
Exciting Research in Rheumatology
As one of the five Arthritis Foundation Rheumatology Research Fellowship grant awardees for 2020, I have been fortunate to have had many opportunities to participate in research. I was excited not only to attend the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) virtual conference in November but honored to present some of the research I have been working on during my fellowship at Duke University. Despite the pandemic, there have been many exciting advances in pediatric rheumatology research this year that were presented at ACR. The amount that we have learned about COVID-19 and the work the pediatric rheumatology community has done to ...more
December 2020 Arthritis News Roundup
The Arthritis Foundation is your trusted source for information, and we’re staying on top of the latest arthritis-related news that could affect you. As we head into 2021, here’s a wrap-up of the headlines from this past month. Here are some of the most recent developments regarding COVID-19 and vaccine information: CDC Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine for People With Underlying Conditions The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated guidance for people with underlying medical conditions who may receive the coronavirus vaccine, including those with HIV, weakened immune systems and autoimmune conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Bell’s ...more
State Victories for Advocacy 2020
2020 has been a year that has brought a number of unforeseen challenges. Throughout these difficult times, Advocates continually raised their voices in support of legislation that makes a difference for people with arthritis. COVID-19 has shined a light on issues within our healthcare system that disrupt care. On a state level, the pandemic required many state legislative sessions to end early, meet very rarely, or adapt to virtual sessions. For the states that continued to meet this year, many legislative bodies condensed their work to COVID-19 legislation and budget issues. Accordingly, the Arthritis Foundation, our coalition partners, and our legislative ...more
Chef Michael Symon’s Recipe for Easing Arthritis Pain
On cooking shows like The Chew and Burgers, Brew and Que, the charismatic Chef Michael Symon, with his signature bald head and contagious smile, whips up mouth-watering dishes with what seems like boundless energy and enthusiasm. What’s not so apparent are his painful hands, aching knees and ankles, and lurking fatigue. Symon, 51, was diagnosed in his 20s with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and discoid lupus, a form of lupus that primarily affects the skin, but also the joints. “Literally one morning I woke up with these two enormous butterfly splotches under my eyes,” Symon recalls. At first, he and his dermatologist focused ...more
Honoring the Best in Rheumatology
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has recognized several rheumatologists for their contributions and achievements in rheumatology. They have also been Champions of Yes for the Arthritis Foundation. The honors were announced recently during ACR’s annual meeting, which was virtual this year. ACR Masters One of the highest of these honors is the ACR Master designation. It is given to members, age 65 or older, who have made outstanding contributions to ACR and to the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and/or service to their patients, students and profession. James Witter MD, PhD, and Nancy Lane, MD, are among 18 recipients of the ...more
Highlights from ACR 2020: The Future of Osteoarthritis Treatment & Research
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis, affecting more than 30 million adults in the Unites States. The Arthritis Foundation is transforming the landscape of treatments and advancing OA science by gathering the top clinical research scientists and experts in the field through our OA Clinical Studies (OACS) program. As the Foundation’s Director of the Osteoarthritis Programs, I have had the distinct pleasure of working side-by-side with the leaders in the OA research and science community through our OACS program, many of whom recently participated in the 2020 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) virtual conference, sharing the latest in ...more