FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
21 February 2008

First “Fibromyalgia Legislation Day” set for March 10, 2008 in Sacramento

National Fibromyalgia Association to Call on Formation of Taskforce to Shed Light

on Impact of Healthcare Crisis Impacting Fibromyalgia Community

ANAHEIM, Calif--- People with fibromyalgia are not only under- or un-insured because they are too sick to work or have been denied healthcare coverage based on having fibromyalgia—they also struggle daily for recognition of an illness that many in the medical community and society say is “not real.”

To shed light on the impact of the healthcare and social crisis on the fibromyalgia community, the National Fibromyalgia Association will be holding the first-ever Fibromyalgia Legislation Day on March 10, 2008 in Sacramento, including a press conference on the steps of the Capitol Building.

The NFA will be asking legislators to support legislation that would convene a taskforce on fibromyalgia. Over 100 fibromyalgia patients and members of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus will also take the NFA “Pledge to Care,” which advocates for improved treatments, expanded research, and increased awareness and acceptance of fibromyalgia.

“Never has the need been more urgent for action to ensure that no one with fibromyalgia is suffering in silence or being discriminated against,” said Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association. “We are asking our supporters and advocates throughout California to join our efforts to bring attention to the needs of this deserving community of women, men and children.”
 
To RSVP for the March 10th event, please fill out the online form (see link below).

For more information, please contact April Quinn, the NFA's Sr. Director Government and Community Relations, by email: aquinn@fmaware.org or by phone: 714.921.0150.