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  • About Arthritis
    Common Topics
    woman holding her wrist What Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbes Inflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

    Patient talking with nurse Newly Diagnosed With Arthritis

    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

    • Understanding Arthritis
    • Arthritis Types
    • More About Arthritis
    • Where it Hurts
    • Related Conditions
  • Treatments
    Common Topics
    Woman holding shoulder Webinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

    Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.

    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    Man with head in hands on bed Webinar: Arthritis Fatigue Causes and Solutions

    Learn the various causes of arthritis-related fatigue and strategies to combat weariness.

    • Treatment Plan
    • Drug Guide
    • Joint Surgery
    • Complementary Therapies
    • Insurance Management
  • Healthy Living
    Common Topics
    Woman with upset stomach Microbiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    man exercising Stairs Workout Demo

    Strengthen your leg muscles and improve your stability to make going up and down stairs safer and easier.

    woman consoling another Arthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

    • Ease of Use Products
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  • Juvenile Arthritis
    Common Topics
    2023 JA Family Summit

    Learn about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, a place for families to connect, share and learn.

    JA Camps

    The Arthritis Foundation’s JA camp programs give kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases the chance to make lasting memories.

    Juvenile Arthritis Volunteer

    • About Juvenile Arthritis
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    • Medical Decisions
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    Common Topics
    Transforming Clinical Interactions

    The Live Yes! Arthritis community connects patients with others online and in-person for support and education, and encourages patients to play an active role in their health care.

    Partners 4 Patients with Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices.

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    See how we're aiming to address the growing shortage of arthritis specialists, especially in under-served parts of the country.

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    Common Topics
    OACS Forum Series

    The Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Forum Series features OA thought leaders from across the globe discussing the future of how the disease can be treated to improve patient outcomes.

    man bandaging boy's knee Conquering Childhood Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

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    Common Topics
    Capital hill Action Center

    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

    LiveYes! Insights thumbnail Live Yes! INSIGHTS

    Share your experience in a 10-minute assessment to be among those changing the future of arthritis.

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    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

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Back

2018 Arthritis Platinum Ambassador Assembly Makes a Big Impact

Scores of the most passionate and vocal champions of the arthritis community recently descended on the nation’s capital to hone their advocacy skills and share their personal stories with each other and with their members of Congress. Attended by nearly 130 participants from 32 states, the Arthritis Foundation’s new Platinum Ambassadors Assembly was held March 12-13.

Platinum Ambassadors are top grassroots volunteers who complete six annual advocacy assignments and raise at least $1,000 to support the Foundation’s mission to conquer and cure arthritis. Forty-eight of our fifty-one Platinum Ambassadors participated in the first-of-its-kind event, along with 25 Junior Ambassadors , young people ages 13 to 17 who speak out for the estimated 300,000 kids in the U.S. who battle arthritis. Also attending were 30 future advocacy leaders, highly-engaged Arthritis Foundation volunteers who have committed to achieving Platinum Ambassador status in 2018.



Assembly participants spent a full day of planning and learning new strategies for “precision advocacy,” cultivating the skills it takes to make a difference on Capitol Hill and in local communities. They got a better understanding of ways to urge Congress to make step therapy processes more transparent for patients – and persuading lawmakers to join the Congressional Arthritis Caucus – our top two priorities. They also got up to speed on advocacy actions that can help solve the rheumatology shortage and secure the funding needed for arthritis research and programs at government agencies.

[caption id="attachment_638" align="alignleft" width="300"] anna legassie accepting award Anna Legassie recieves Platinum Ambassador award from Ann Palmer and Anna Hyde[/caption]

Platinum Ambassadors took part in a fireside chat with former Sen. Tim Hutchinson of Arkansas, who shared his insider tips on how to be an effective Advocate on Capitol Hill. Future advocacy leaders spent time meeting face to face with Arthritis Foundation staff, talking about ways to make the biggest impact on their federal legislators and back home. Junior Ambassadors heard from young people who are making a splash in Washington, DC, including an intern working for a U.S. senator and a student at The Washington Center.

At our Excellence in Advocacy Awards Dinner, Anna Legassie, 2018 Walk to Cure Arthritis national adult honoree, of Boston, told the crowd: “There’s no wrong way to tell your story. Even when it pales in comparison to the people around you, your story is still valid, still important and deserves to be heard.”

Whitney Greaves, Junior Ambassador from Colorado, said: “Advocating can either be empowering or completely nerve-racking. Choose to be empowered, confident in your convictions. Everybody has a story.”

[caption id="attachment_639" align="alignright" width="300"] deb constein platinum ambassador Platinum Ambassador Deb Constien enjoying the opening session[/caption]

Deb Constien, esteemed member of the Arthritis Foundation’s national advocacy committee, Arthritis Support Network leader and Platinum Ambassador, echoed that: “Our stories really make a difference. I have 35 years of a story to share, and share I have!”

During the ceremony, Platinum Ambassador Awards were presented to 51 volunteers and five Junior Ambassadors were also recognized.

The next day on Capitol Hill, assembly participants held a total of 137 meetings with congressional members or their senior staff. As a result, 23 members of Congress signed onto our letters supporting much needed arthritis funding at the Department of Defense and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And two lawmakers joined the arthritis caucus, which now consists of more than a quarter of congressional members.

[caption id="attachment_640" align="alignleft" width="300"] arthritis foundation colorado delegation meeting Our Colorado delegation meeting with Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)[/caption]

Those are some of the immediate impacts we were able to make. The stories everyone told were inspiring and made what living with arthritis is like very personal and real. Your stories represent a slice of all of us, which is what being an Arthritis Foundation Advocate is all about.

Our collective voices certainly don’t stop there. Together, throughout the year, we’ll keep the fire burning on Capitol Hill and beyond. Our first Platinum Ambassador Assembly was yet another big step we’re taking to raise the bar in increasing arthritis awareness and taking actions that get results.

Join our growing movement and become an Arthritis Foundation Advocate yourself – and consider taking the next big step of becoming an Ambassador … even a Platinum Ambassador! Keep an eye out, too, for information about what we’re planning for our get-together next year.

Related Resources:



  • Platinum Ambassador Assembly - Highlights from Capitol Hill

  • Sign Up to Be An Advocate

  • Learn More About Advocates & Ambassadors

  • Read About Our Federal Policy Priorities

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    Partner

    Proud Partners of the Arthritis Foundation make an annual commitment to directly support the Foundation’s mission.

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Ways to Give

Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life. Whether it is supporting cutting-edge research, 24/7 access to one-on-one support, resources and tools for daily living, and more, your gift will be life-changing.

Make a Donation

Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease. Please, make your urgently-needed donation to the Arthritis Foundation now!

Become a Member

Become an Arthritis Foundation member today for just $20 and you'll receive access to helpful tools..... and more.

Make a Honor or Memorial Gift

Honor a loved one with a meaningful donation to the Arthritis Foundation. We'll send a handwritten card to the honoree or their family notifying them of your thoughtful gift.

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I want information on ways to remember the AF in my will, trust or other financial planning vehicles.

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Volunteer


Volunteer Opportunities

The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

Become a Volunteer

More About Volunteering

  • Walk to Cure
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  • Start a Live Yes! Connect Group
  • Be an Online Community Moderator
  • Local Leadership Board

Live Yes! INSIGHTS


Give Just 10 Minutes.

Tell us what matters most to you. Change the future of arthritis.

By taking part in the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment, you’ll be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis, for yourself and for 54 million others. And all it takes is just 10 minutes.

Your shared experiences will help:

- Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes
- Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community
- Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you

Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community.

Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community.  Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis (JA) community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families.

How are you changing the future?

By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

Get Started

Partner


Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

More About Partnerships

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