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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
    • Managing Pain
    • Recipes & Nutrition
    • Physical Activity
    • Emotional Well-being
    • Daily Living
    • Family & Relationships
  • 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
    • Treatment
    • Managing Pain
    • Medical Decisions
    • Nutrition
    • Emotional Well-being
  • Professionals
    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.

    Fellowships

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

    • Better Living Toolkits
    • Our Issue Briefs
  • Science
    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.

    Focus

    • Awards
    • Funding Opportunities
    • OACS Forum Series
    • Osteoarthritis Focus
    • Participate in Clinical Trials
    • Partnerships
    • Publications
  • Get Involved
    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.

    woman listening to podcast Live Yes! Podcast

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

    • Advocacy
    • Ways to Give
    • Fundraising
    • Volunteer
    • Partnership
    • Live Yes! Arthritis Community
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Back

The Core of Our Arthritis Community

More than 250 volunteers provide support and connections as forum moderators and support group facilitators.

Friends and family can lend a sympathetic ear and shoulder to lean on when you’re having a hard time. But there’s nothing like having someone to turn to who has faced the same kinds of challenges and really gets what you’re going through. That’s especially true when you’re dealing with chronic pain and the hardships that come with living with arthritis.

That’s why the moderators of our Live Yes! Online Community forums and facilitators of our Live Yes! Connect Groups are so essential. More than 250 people give freely of their valuable time and energy to volunteer in these roles.

Each facilitator and moderator has experience with arthritis — as a patient living with arthritis, partner or spouse of someone living with arthritis, parent or guardian of a child with arthritis or healthcare provider. They bring people in the arthritis community together to share their stories, experiences, problems and find solutions.

“I'm just so grateful for them — that’s the God’s honest truth. Grateful for each and every one of them, for who they are and how they contribute to the foundation as people who, themselves, are living with chronic conditions or their kiddos have chronic conditions,” says Haydee Sedlmeier, the Arthritis Foundation’s Director of Online & Community Connections, who is also a patient. “They bring their talents, ingenuity, passion and hearts to connecting and empowering the arthritis community so that no one is on this journey alone. We couldn’t do it without each and every one of these awesome individuals!”

The Live Yes! Online Community forums have discussion topics ranging from thumb surgery for osteoarthritis to raising a child with systemic juvenile arthritis to coronavirus hot topics. Each has an experienced volunteer to guide participants and moderate the discussions.

They check in regularly so participants get responses to their posts, sharing personal stories and information, referring people to helpful resources and encouraging productive, friendly discussions. They moderate disease-specific discussions and real-talk topic discussions. The Online Community hosts “Ask the Professionals Q&A,” a new interactive video series featuring leading experts. In coming months they will provide answers to participants’ questions on topics including “ask the pharmacist,” “pain management,” “mental health” and “intimacy.”

Live Yes! Connect Group facilitators host support groups — virtually until it’s safe to meet in person again. Whether someone has recently been diagnosed or has been living with arthritis for years and has just discovered the Arthritis Foundation community, a Connect Group facilitator can guide him or her to a Connect group for encouragement, information and resources that can make living with arthritis easier.

These volunteer facilitators take the lead in forming Connect Groups and holding regular meetings. When the coronavirus spread through the country last year, they quickly pivoted to virtual meetings to keep the groups intact and active.

Facilitators foster a positive, supportive atmosphere where everyone can participate and be heard, and they arrange fun and informative presentations and activities, like cooking demonstrations, exercise sessions or expert speakers on a range of topics.

While these selfless moderator and facilitator volunteers are fundamental to our ability to serve the arthritis community, many of them find that they benefit almost as much as they give! Here’s what a few of them have said:

  • I enjoy volunteering as a Live Yes! Connect Group Facilitator because it brings me joy to help others with arthritis. I am so inspired to learn and grow from others who are on this journey. The people, the passion, the resources, expert speakers and relevant information about real issues we face daily are why I do this. Being a facilitator has given me an opportunity to meet some amazing people along the way that have become lifelong friends and family. — Tiffany Crawford, Oklahoma City Connect Group

  • I remember when my 2-year-old was first diagnosed how important it was to be able to talk to someone who was going through the same thing. It set my mind at ease and taught me how to talk with the schools, doctors and family. If I can empower one person to feel more educated to advocate for their child, that's my goal. As a moderator, the best way to help is to listen and show compassion for possibly their most difficult situation ever. I have learned to be more compassionate. Everyone has an issue, so we make the best with what we have. —Tiffany Coffman, Denver Connect Group and moderator

  • Volunteering as a moderator in the Live Yes Online Community keeps me engaged in a community that has provided me with support, information and friendship. As a moderator, I can extend all of those good things to others, and I spend less time in my own head with thoughts of “I must be the only one in the whole wide world who feels like this.” Supporting and encouraging others and hearing their stories has become more important than focusing on me! —Mary Nathan



The volunteers who have stepped up to be facilitators and moderators are the core and strength of our arthritis community. They change lives for the better every day. We thank and honor them for their dedication to people living with arthritis and commitment to helping them cope with their challenges and live fully.

Join a Connect Group or the Online Community at arthritis.org/liveyes . And if you would like to become a volunteer moderator in our Online Community or start a Connect Group, go to Volunteer with us to learn more and sign up.

Get Involved
  • Live Yes! Arthritis Community
  • Live Yes! Connect Groups
  • Live Yes! Online Community
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Join Us
  • Jingle Bell Run
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  • Pathways Conference 2023
  • Walk to Cure Arthritis
  • Fundraise Your Way
  • JA Family Summit
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  • 1355 Peachtree St NE Suite 600
  • Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Helpline: 1.800.283.7800
  • Contact Us
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Arthritis Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) EIN 58-1341679
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  • Donate

    Donate

    Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life.

  • Volunteer

    Volunteer

    Join us and become a Champion of Yes. There are many volunteer opportunities available.

  • Live Yes! INSIGHTS

    Live Yes! INSIGHTS

    Take part to be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis.

  • Partner

    Partner

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

Donate


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.

Gift Planning

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

Other Ways to Give

  • Match Gift
  • Donate a Car
  • Donor-Advised Funds

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
  • Jingle Bell Run
  • Do it Yourself Fundraising
  • JA Camp
  • 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

  • Partner with Us
  • Ease Of Use Commendation
  • Let's Get a Grip On Arthritis
  • Promotions that Give Back