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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
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    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.

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    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.

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    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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    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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    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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Platinum Ambassador Spotlight—Rebecca Gillett, Colorado

In 2016, I was fortunate to attend the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Summit in Washington D.C. alongside some seasoned advocacy veterans from Denver. I had never met with my legislators or shared my story before, so it was a new experience. It was easy to “catch the bug” for advocacy being surrounded by so many other fellow arthritis patient advocates who want to make a difference for all of us. Raising awareness and fundraising for arthritis has been an integral part of my life for the past several years, but advocacy has become an even greater passion. This year, I achieved the Platinum Ambassador Award and will attend the Arthritis Foundation’s Platinum Ambassador Assembly this March 12-13, 2018.



A few weeks later, we headed to Washington D.C. for the Arthritis Advocacy Summit. We had a large delegation from Colorado with us this year, with some wonderful families and children/teens with JA who shared their stories. We were fortunate to have a meeting with Senator Michael Bennet and his legislative health aide. He carefully listened to each person as they shared their experiences of living with arthritis and was especially interested in hearing from the younger advocates. We ended our day with another in-person meeting with Congressman Mike Coffman, who told us in Denver that he’d make sure he got to meet with us when we were in D.C.

Advocating at the federal level can seem intimidating, but it’s important to remember that our government officials work for us. We voted them into office, so it’s important that they hear our stories and understand the challenges we face on a daily basis. It’s important to put a face to an issue when they are working on legislation that affects us in our state.

After advocating in D.C., I returned home to continue advocating the next day to our state legislators in Denver. Our local Arthritis Foundation office is part of a group called the Chronic Care Collaborative, and we spent the day advocating alongside other patient advocates representing their causes. This experience was quite different than D.C. – it’s more “meetings in the hallway” and spontaneous. You need to know exactly what you’re “ask” is and how to share your story in a very brief amount of time. We were advocating for a step therapy bill, which was an issue that has significantly impacted my health, so I had a story to tell. Both my state senator and state representative were on the committees that would be holding the hearings on the step therapy bill, so it was certainly an added bonus to get their attention.

We were able to get a quick meeting in the hallway with my state senator, who was eager to understand more about step therapy . Knowing that he was the chairman of the committee, I wanted to make sure he heard how important it was to me that this bill move forward. It was gratifying to feel that my local legislator was intrigued to hear my personal story. It truly felt like my story mattered, especially with the questions he asked after listening to my quick personal story. This quick meeting led to me testifying before a state senate committee to share my story as it related to step therapy. It passed unanimously in this committee and moved forward to a house committee, where I again was able to testify about my story and step therapy. The bill moved onto the Governor’s desk eventually and was signed into law in June.

In August, I requested a meeting again with Congressman Coffman to discuss the national step therapy bill and to ask him to co-sponsor it. In our two prior meetings this year, we shared information about step therapy with him and he was interested in learning more to understand the issue. He made time to meet with us on a Saturday morning in September to further discuss the issue. We discussed the law that passed in Colorado and I shared my story regarding step therapy. The meeting was very positive and seemed as though we might get our wish. As luck would have it, one of our local leadership board members, who is a rheumatologist, attended a dinner meeting that Congressman Coffman was also in attendance. He discussed the meeting we had that morning with him regarding the step therapy bill and asked our rheumatologist board member many more questions. This team effort to advocate for his support of the step therapy bill was a success, as a week later, Congressman Coffman added his name to the list of co-sponsors for H.R. 2077 the Restoring the Patient’s Voice Act. Once again, sharing my story helped to make a difference.

If sharing my story can create laws that help other people like me, then I will continue to do so as often as I can. My story matters. We have limits to step therapy in our state now. That’s why advocacy is so important. Share your story – it’s the best way to educate others and raise awareness about what it’s like for people living with arthritis and other chronic diseases.

This March, I will share my step therapy story once more during the Platinum Ambassador Assembly to advocate for a federal bill that will put limits on the practice. The Platinum Ambassador Assembly is a meeting to honor the 2017 Platinum Ambassadors where we will take part in in-depth and advanced advocacy training followed by a day of meetings with our legislators on Capitol Hill. I can’t wait to share my story again, and hope you will share your story too. Click here to take action on Step Therapy, encourage your members of Congress to support H.R. 2077 the Restoring the Patients Voice Act.

Related Resources:



  • Arthritis Foundation Legislative Position Statement on Step Therapy

  • Ambassador Spotlight - Lori Fagan, Virginia

  • Junior Ambassador Spotlight - Ethan Berkovitz, Ohio

  • Ambassador Spotlight - Kerry Wong, New York

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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