|
"National Fibromyalgia Association and Citrucel(r) Launch Awareness Day 2006 Campaign"
Monday, April 10, 2006
Press Release
Contact: Corin Walson
877-825-1868
cwalson@4causemarketing.com
National Fibromyalgia Association and Citrucel(r) Launch Awareness Day 2006 Campaign "But You Don't Look Sick! The Invisible Pain of Fibromyalgia"
ORANGE, Calif---If you have fibromyalgia, chances are you've been told that "you don't look sick!"
The medical community has not yet discovered a marker for diagnosing this chronic pain condition, which afflicts over 10 million Americans.
Patients' outward physical appearance remains relatively unaffected: no bruises, no discoloration, no physical indication of the pain they are suffering.
"This issue of 'invisibility' often adds to the challenge of gaining credibility and support for this illness from friends, family, co-workers, the media, and even some in the medical community," says Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA). "Many of us are still being told that fibromyalgia is 'all in our heads.'"
To raise awareness of fibromyalgia as a real illness and to bring attention to its hidden symptoms, including sleep disorders, migraine headaches, depression, fatigue and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), the NFA and Citrucel(r) today launched this year's National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day commemorated on May 12, 2006 with the theme: "But You Don't Look Sick! The Invisible Pain of Fibromyalgia."
The NFA's Awareness Day 2006 poster features the candid Polaroid photos of four people with fibromyalgia who don't look sick, along with captions detailing the year they were diagnosed.
"Our poster this year shows real people with a real illness," explains Matallana. "It's very hard to be told your pain is not real, but this year's Awareness Day is an important opportunity for the fibromyalgia community to educate the public about new treatments and support for research of this illness. You may not see their pain, but these people are definitely not invisible!"
Citrucel(r), a 100% soluble fiber therapy that won't ferment to cause excess gas, is a first-time sponsor of Awareness Day. Rob Schwartz, Brand Manager for Citrucel(r) says, "We are excited to be part of the NFA's Awareness Day campaign. This year's theme in particular gives us a unique opportunity to tell the fibromyalgia community of the benefits of
our product in helping relieve the constipation associated with IBS, an 'invisible' symptom of fibromyalgia, as well as show our support for the important work being done by the NFA."
Other Awareness Day sponsors include Fibronol, Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers,Cookie Lee Jewelry, and Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine.
CALL TO ACTION
* If you want to participate in this year's Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, please visit the National Fibromyalgia Association website: http://www.fmaware.org/.
ABOUT AWARENESS DAY
In 1993, Tom Hennessy, the founder of RESCIND, INC. (Repeal Existing Stereotypes about Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases) designated May 12 as International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND). The date was chosen to memorialize the birth date of Florence Nightingale, the English army nurse who inspired the founding of the International Red Cross. Nightingale contracted a paralyzing, CIND-like illness in her mid-thirties and spent the last 50 years of her life virtually bedridden. Despite her illness, she managed to found the first ever School of Nursing.
Awareness Day activities take place worldwide in an effort to increase awareness of chronic pain illnesses including fibromyalgia. Awareness Day seeks to help patients and organizations educate the general public, healthcare professionals, government officials, and legislative bodies.
Since its inception in 1997, the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) has been the organization leading the call for increased recognition of fibromyalgia each May 12, and has staged groundbreaking national and international events in honor of Awareness Day.
ABOUT THE NFA
Founded in 1997, the National Fibromyalgia Association is the largest nonprofit 501(c)3 organization providing education and resources for people with fibromyalgia. As part of the NFA's patient support efforts, the NFA provides information and assistance to a national network of over 1,500 Fibromyalgia Support Group Leaders and their members. It is estimated that the NFA reaches over 1,000,000 people with fibromyalgia annually.
For more information, visit www.FMaware.org
or call 714-921-0150.
----#-----
|
