Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease.
2019 Evening of Honors: Best of the Best Among Arthritis Volunteers
The 2019 Live Yes! Conference of Champions, Sept. 13-15, sparked conversation, learning and celebration. Many Arthritis Warriors joined top volunteers, partners and other supporters of the arthritis movement to move our crucial work ahead. Ultimately, this ongoing work will help even more people with arthritis live their best life. As a highlight of the conference, the Arthritis Foundation’s 2019 Evening of Honors was held in Atlanta on Sept. 13. There, we recognized Champions of Yes who have demonstrated what’s possible. The special evening was hosted for the second year in a row by Pete Scalia, co-anchor of WBNC 10TV’s “This Morning” ...more
Out-of-Pocket Costs: An Out-of-this-World Problem
Let’s face it: out-of-pocket costs for patients with chronic diseases like arthritis are consuming an ever-growing share of household spending. Lowering drug prices has been a central priority of Congress and the Administration this year, and while a lot of attention is paid to drug companies and insurers, the impact on the patient often gets lost. There may be a lot of chatter about list prices, rebates, and other technical terms, but at the end of the day the health care price that matters most to patients is the one coming out of their own pocket. Managing your health costs starts ...more
Our Global OA Outreach Extends to China!
Recognized as a world leader in the fight to cure arthritis — providing trusted resources while advancing science, advocacy and community connections — the Arthritis Foundation is actively participating in the 2019 Peking University International Osteoarthritis (OA) Forum, September 7-8, in Beijing, China. Angie Botto-van Bemden Representing the Arthritis Foundation are leaders Ann M. Palmer, Guy Eakin, PhD, and Angie Botto-van Bemden, PhD. The forum is jointly sponsored by OA Research Society International and the International Chinese Osteoarthritis Research Society. Dr. Botto-van Bemden, director of OA programs, will lead a presentation about the Foundation’s experience in international task force collaboration, patient engagement, ...more
Your Summer Federal Advocacy Roundup!
Though Congress is in August recess, we’ve got details on some of the hot topics in health care that will be discussed and debated for the remainder of 2019. Read on to get the scoop! Addressing Prescription Drug Costs Transformative medicines make a substantial difference in the lives of people with arthritis, but the out-of-pocket costs are significant. We’ve got you covered and are taking action: Last month, we released a new issue brief addressing the cost of prescription drugs. Throughout the summer, we’ve been telling key lawmakers that drug pricing policies should benefit the people they are intended to serve: patients. ...more
Help Elevate the Gravity of Arthritis During Pain Awareness Month
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, ...more
So, She Rode Her Bike Down the California Coast
Last September, Nancy Travis, the actress famous for leading roles in the film “So I Married an Axe Murderer,” the Fox TV show “Last Man Standing” and the Golden Globe-winning Netflix series “The Kominsky Method,” rode her bicycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles in support of the Arthritis Foundation. “How hard could it be?” the spirited 57-year-old asked herself when she signed up in March 2018.“I read about the California Coast Classic in a magazine once, and thought, ‘Wouldn’t that be a cool thing to do?’” she recalls. “Plus, my mom suffered tremendously from rheumatoid arthritis, so I had a ...more
How Gaye Jacques Is Making Arthritis a Priority in the 2020 Election
New Hampshire is one of a handful of states with a special fifth season — Primary Candidate Visit Season. Gaye Jacques decided to take advantage of it by trying to meet as many of the Democrat primary candidates as she possibly could, bringing their attention to the barriers to care people with arthritis face every day. Gaye has met with an impressive number of presidential candidates competing for the Democrat nomination, 14 to be exact! She uses her position as an Arthritis Ambassador and New Hampshire voter to speak out. Gaye attends each meet-and-greet ready to introduce herself and talk about ...moreUCLA Fellows: Meet Samira Nazzar and Stephen Wong, Jane Wyman Foundation-sponsored Fellows
Because access to care is not always guaranteed, the Arthritis Foundation has been working to help close the gap on the nation’s rheumatologist shortage through our fellowship initiative. Through generous donations from the Jane Wyman Trust, we have been able to fund two pediatric fellowships at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Stephen Chee-Yung Wong, MD Stephen Chee-Yung Wong, MD, a pediatrician, will complete his pediatric rheumatology fellowship in June 2020. He is looking forward to the opportunity to perform impactful research in pediatric rheumatology and continue to develop as a physician scientist. His current research project examines cognitive dysfunction ...more