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  • About Arthritis
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    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.

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

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    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.

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    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.

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

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    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.

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    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.

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

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    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.

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    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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    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!

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    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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Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Nora Singer

As an organization, we have always supported and encouraged the active involvement of patients in their own care. Patient perspectives matter greatly when it comes to decisions being made about health care. Their voices are vital in the clinical research process as new medications are being developed and tested.

Patient perspectives play a large role in Dr. Nora Singer’s 3-year Arthritis Foundation-funded project - “ Cell-based therapy in systemic onset JIA (sJIA) refractory to conventional “c” and biological “b” DMARDs ”. Her project uses stem cells derived from adult cells that are designed to “reset” the immune system. The study will compare the safety and effectiveness of the stem cell treatment to conventional and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) . Currently, stem cell therapy is experimental in the U.S. and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but is less regulated in other countries.



Systemic JIA causes inflammation in multiple joints, with skin rash, and spiking fevers that last weeks. It affects about 10 percent of children with JIA. Dr. Singer explains why she chose to study sJIA instead of a different form of JIA: “This disease has the highest morbidity and mortality of the different forms of JIA, if you don’t stabilize it early. These are very sick kids. It becomes apparent which kids are responding to traditional treatments and which aren’t. The things we learn from this study may very well apply to other forms of JIA and other autoimmune diseases.”

Since this therapy is not approved in the U.S., some parents are going outside of the country for stem cell therapy for their children. Dr. Singer feels parents and patients could be taking a chance because some of the medical environments in other countries are less sophisticated in their treatment of sick kids and the quality controls on product may vary from center to center.

Dr. Singer’s project has several steps. The first step, which began in January, is listening to focus groups made up of parents and patients to discover what will work best in a protocol to test the therapies. Getting feedback from patients is important in the protocol design process because it will help ensure the concerns of parents and patients are addressed, that the protocol is one that parents might enroll their child in and it engages families to not only take part in the research study, but also in the design of the study.

After the protocol is designed with the focus group input, a Phase I clinical trial protocol is submitted to the FDA for approval. The study will collect safety data of stem cell therapy that may lead to further development of this therapy. Once the protocol is approved by FDA and the respective Institutional Review Boards at the participating centers, the last step - enrollment for the study - can begin.

Collecting safety data with a Phase I study is important. Dr. Singer explained, “While some safety data has been collected in studies in China and more recently in the Netherlands, there is a need to collect U.S. safety data to better understand the biology of how the stem cells work to sense injury and inflammation, and adjust the immune response. This is an important part of determining whether stem cells have a place in the therapeutic toolbox for treatment.”

Dr. Singer is one of six recipients of the Arthritis Foundation 2016 Delivering on Discovery award and a rheumatologist in Cleveland, Ohio who cares for adults and children. She is affiliated with MetroHealth Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University and is a member of the Childhood Arthritis Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA), which the Arthritis Foundation also funds.

Related Resources:



  • Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Richard F. Loeser, Jr

  • Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Hongsik Cho

  • Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Christine Beeton

  • Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. C. Michael Stein

  • Participate in JIA Research

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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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