“Be Aware! Be Active!�?
National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) Unveils Campaign for
“Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 2005�?
<ST1:PLACE><ST1:CITY>ORANGE</ST1:CITY>, <ST1:STATE>Calif----</ST1:STATE></ST1:PLACE> The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) today unveiled its campaign for Fibromyalgia Awareness Day to be held on <ST1:DATE ls="trans" Month="5" Day="12" Year="2005">May 12, 2005</ST1:DATE>.<O:P></O:P>
“Be Aware! Be Active�?aims to raise awareness of the physically debilitating effects of fibromyalgia (FM) while promoting the benefits of moderate and gradual physical activity and exercise in improving FM and other chronic pain illness symptoms. The campaign will also support and highlight the advocacy efforts of fibromyalgia and other chronic pain illness support groups nationwide.<O:P></O:P>
<O:P></O:P>
<O:P></O:P>
"Numerous scientific evidence supports exercise as an important component of coping with fibromyalgia, but we understand that people suffering from this chronic pain illness may feel that exercise is adding on more pain,�?said Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association. “Fibromyalgia affects everyone differently and exercise may not be appropriate or within the capability of everyone; however, with our awareness campaign, the NFA and our sponsors want to provide a variety of approaches in recognition and support of each person’s courageous struggle with this illness.�?/FONT>
AWARENESS DAY 2005 ACTIVITIES:
Become a part of “Be Active! Be Aware!�?by participating in the following activities as part of National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 2005:
-
From now until May 12, 2005 the NFA is accepting essay submissions, 200 words or less, describing personal experiences on “being active/being aware with fibromyalgia.�?Winning stories will be featured in an upcoming issue of the NFA’s online newsletter. Stories may be emailed to Elisabeth Deffner at [email protected] or fax: 714-921-6920.<O:P></O:P> Submit essay here.
- “Be Aware! Be Active�?Colored Wristbands Order forms available February 15, 2005: For a $5 donation to the National Fibromyalgia Association, donors will receive a rubber wristband with the NFA logo and the inscription: Be Aware! Be Active!. The wristband also comes with a wallet-sized pledge card: “I, (donor’s name) pledge to Be Aware! Be Active! for fibromyalgia awareness!�?Order forms and detailed information will be posted on www.FMaware.org starting February 15, 2005
- NFA Proclamation Campaign
Established in 1999, the National Fibromyalgia Association’s Proclamation campaign continues to be a popular Awareness Day activity in which fibromyalgia advocates solicit proclamations from their elected local, state and federal officials declaring May 12 as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Since the program’s inception, the NFA and its supporters have collected hundreds of proclamations. Sample proclamations and instructions are available through the NFA.
ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS DAY:
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, held on May 12 of each year, is a widely celebrated, high- profile media event observed by the millions of Americans with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain illnesses. Since its inception in 1997, the National Fibromyalgia Association has led Awareness Day activities nationwide in an effort to increase awareness of fibromyalgia and other chronic pain illnesses.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FIBROMYALGIA ASSOCIATION
The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) is a nonprofit [501 (c (3)] organization whose mission is to develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia. The NFA concentrates on patient support and informational services, awareness outreach, physician continuing medical education and research. The NFA produces educational materials, sponsors CME and patient conferences, hosts a web site (www.FMaware.org), and publishes Fibromyalgia AWARE, the first and only consumer magazine for people with fibromyalgia, chronic pain and other invisible illnesses. As part of the NFA's patient support efforts, we provide information and assistance to over 1,500 Fibromyalgia Support Group Leaders and their members. It is estimated that the NFA reaches over 1,000,000 people with fibromyalgia annually.
For more information on the NFA’s National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day campaign and activities, please call 714.921.0150 or visit www.FMaware.org.
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
First 