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Online resource that helps patients better understand health coverage options, choose the right coverage, manage the denial process and reduce health care costs.
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Do I Have Arthritis?
Think you may have arthritis? Learn about the four most common warning signs.
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Gout is an inflammatory type of arthritis that can come and go.
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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
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    • OACS Forum Series
    • Osteoarthritis Focus
    • Participate in Clinical Trials
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  • 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

Sachi Arya

Sachi Arya is a Chronic Strength Champion , which means he doesn’t just take control of his pain — he battles back.  Read to learn how Sachi has found ways to overcome his osteoarthritis.

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the doctor say it. “You have osteoarthritis.”

At the time, I was 43. Sure, I didn’t exercise regularly and didn’t think much about joint health, but I thought I was too young to be diagnosed with arthritis. Even though I had severe knee pain and could barely climb the stairs, I was sure it had to be something other than arthritis. And to make things worse, I also was diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis. The odds were against me.

But getting my diagnosis wasn’t the most painful experience. When I was told, “No need to worry, you’re not climbing mountains, anyway,” that hurt more than anything.

I thought: Why should I accept what has been given to me? That’s when I decided I would turn my life around and become someone I never thought possible. I knew I was going to climb mountains. And in recent years, I’ve climbed more than two dozen of them. Now, I’m getting ready to scale one of the most prominent peaks on Earth.

Making changes and setting goals
To start navigating this new world, I gathered any information I could get my hands on. From the start, the Arthritis Foundation has been a huge source of support for me to help learn more about my condition. I frequently head to arthritis.org to access resources like exercise videos and expert-written articles to learn what I can do to manage my pain and advocate for myself. I also got involved in the Foundation by joining its local San Antonio chapter, where I’m now a board member, to have the emotional support of others who are going through similar challenges.

And I made major lifestyle changes: I set up a gym in my basement, started doing physical therapy and focused on stretching. I set up short-term goals for myself. One was to make sure I didn’t fall; another was to be able to pick things up from the floor without asking my kids for help. I find that these small-step goals can help make a big difference.

Since goal setting has worked so well for me, I’m happy I now have the Vim app : It allows me to set goals and track my progress, along with helping me manage my pain. I also like how the app is made up of a community of people who are just like me, gearing up to tackle similar things. And unlike the way some social networking apps can be, this app is real and authentic: It reflects the realities of the pain people experience on a daily basis.

Climbing mountains
In a few years, my goals got bigger and bigger. It’s my way of fighting back. After a good warmup, I can now do a squat with 155 lbs. on my barbell. That’s what keeps me motivated. It’s painful, but if I’m not able to take that pain during a workout, how can I handle a climb?

In the past six years, I’ve climbed 25 mountains. I started small with less rigorous peaks in Colorado, but soon enough I was climbing Mt. Rainier and then Mt. Everest Base Camp. Then in late 2019, I climbed Nepal’s Mera Peak, my biggest climb yet with an elevation of 21,247 feet.

Along my journey, I’ve learned what I can do to ease my pain while climbing: I wear a compression sleeve for my calves and knees, and I’ve gotten custom-made insoles for my shoes to help with realignment. At the end of the day, what helped most was the dedication of working out six days a week, every week.

Summer 2021’s challenge is to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, with an Arthritis Foundation flag in hand. I set up a plan for Mt. Kilimanjaro five months in advance, and every day I work toward that goal.

In the back of my mind while I’m climbing are the voices that told me I’d never climb mountains and that I’d eventually need a total knee replacement. One of the greatest rewards in all of this has been inspiring friends and family to hike and learn to be active. At the end of the day, if I can motivate just one other person to live a fuller life, I’ve reached another goal.

It's easy to create a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) fundraiser like I have. If you’re committed to this cause like I am, set up your own event, whatever your passion is. You’ll be making a world of difference for yourself and so many others.



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

  • Live Yes! INSIGHTS

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    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.

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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.

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
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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
  • 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
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  • Let's Get a Grip On Arthritis
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