Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease.
Back to School in COVID-19? Know Your Rights!
By Julie Eller, co-host of the Live Yes With Arthritis Podcast To me, there is no greater joy than sharpening a Dixon Ticonderoga Number Two pencil on the first day of school. I have always been the nerdiest of nerds, a happy bookworm who counted down the days of summer until the fateful day when I could return to class. As I think of all the changes our school-aged children and young adults have faced since the start of the pandemic, the one that has weighed most heavily on my heart are those students whose hopeful back-to-school countdown has been prolonged indefinitely. This year, as we think about returning to classrooms, the conversation is very different ...more
Making Copays Count in Your State
Written by Ryan Precht In the arthritis community, we know that medications can be expensive. I have had arthritis since I was just 2 years old, and my treatments have run the gamut of costs. From $20,000 for an in-office infusion, to $4,000 for at home infusions, I’ve seen it all. As an adult, I treat my arthritis with home infusions, which cost around $5,000. Fortunately, I learned about a manufacturer copayment assistance program that covers most of that cost, leaving me with a manageable $50 payment each month. Without this program, affording my treatment would be impossible. Learning about this program ...more
National Sponsors Help to Make This Year’s Virtual Walk to Cure Arthritis a Big Success
This year, the Arthritis Foundation decided to move our flagship fundraising event, Walk to Cure Arthritis (WTCA), to the online space. The fight for arthritis research and a cure never quits, even when the world seems to be at a standstill. That’s why we were so excited to share this virtual experience with our arthritis family! Over 35,000 people watched the event live on Facebook, helping us raise millions in donations for the fight to cure arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation is fortunate to have such dedicated partners sponsoring the Walk to Cure Arthritis. They include: Amgen, Presenting Sponsor Sanofi Genzyme Regeneron, ...more
Advocating During a Pandemic: Advocacy and Arthritis Go Hand in Hand
Patrice Johnson, Platinum Ambassador, CA California State Advocacy Committee Member | Live Yes! Online Community Forum Moderator The COVID-19 pandemic has radically affected all our lives. On the advocacy front, Arthritis Foundation Advocates and Ambassadors were concerned that we could not meet in person with our legislators to advocate for our priorities, especially as the pandemic made legislative changes even more necessary. Many of us came to the solution of meeting virtually.In April, my State Director, Steven Schultz, arranged a virtual meeting over Zoom for myself and other members of the California State Advocacy Committee with our Senator. Inspired by this meeting, ...more
Keep on Movin’ – Don’t Stop!
By Rebecca Gillett, MS OTR/L – Live Yes! With Arthritis Podcast Co-Host We are already in the middle of summer. Where did the time go? It seems like the stay at home orders early in the pandemic just made time feel like it was going so slow, but here we are in July. Prime summertime to get outdoors (if it’s not too hot) and get moving. We know all the research supports staying physically active as one of the best strategies for managing arthritis, no matter what type you may have. But it’s not always easy. Especially when some options to stay ...more
Bringing Together the Best in Osteoarthritis Clinical Research
The Arthritis Foundation kicked off a new forum series focused on osteoarthritis (OA) clinical studies – OACS Virtual Forum Series & Conference – on June 17 with leading research experts across the globe who specialize in OA. The focus of these forums is to gather thought leaders in OA from the clinical research areas to discuss the future of how OA can be treated to improve patient outcomes. This inaugural program focused on the topic of “Does Strong Muscle Matter in OA?”, which can be viewed online here. According to experts participating in this forum, the resounding answer is YES. Whether ...more
LA Step Therapy Win
The Arthritis Foundation is pleased to announce that Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed HB 263 into law as Act 181. This law strengthens protections for Louisianans who are living with arthritis and cements Louisiana as having one of the strongest step therapy laws in the country. Act 181 was prioritized and passed during the COVID-19 pandemic and will improve the state’s existing step therapy law. Also known as “fail first,” step therapy is a process that forces patients to try and fail drugs insurance companies choose, before the patient gets to use the medication their doctor originally prescribed. This may ...more
June 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. Here’s what you need to know about some of the headlines from this past month. Coronavirus and Arthritis News The new coronavirus pandemic has created a new normal for us and has changed the way you manage your arthritis. We’re keeping you updated on the latest developments, and talking to top experts to get credible, reliable information you need to know about COVID-19 and how it may impact you. Get the latest in our Care & Connect resource center. FDA ...more