“This is a critical moment in time for the fibromyalgia patient and
the National Fibromyalgia Association.”

Recent Media Spotlight Marks Unprecedented Coverage of Organization and Fibromyalgia

From left: April Quinn, Lynne Matallana, Frances Bremer and Ambassador Paul Bremer at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.

ANAHEIM, Calif----The recent surge in media coverage of fibromyalgia coincides with an unprecedented convergence of scientific advances in public awareness of the disorder, according to Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association.

“This is a critical moment in time for the fibromyalgia patient as well as the National Fibromyalgia Association,” Matallana told reporters at a recent press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. “Now more than ever, we are encouraging everyone to join us in our national efforts to raise awareness and insure that fibromyalgia patients have access to better medical care.”

During the press conference, Dr. Patrick Wood and Dr. Dan Clauw presented scientific advances in the treatment of fibromyalgia. In its efforts to continue to raise awareness of fibromyalgia, particularly on an international level, Matallana also presented Ambassador Paul Bremer and his wife, Frances as the NFA’s new spokespersons to help in the call to patients, policymakers, business leaders, and the media to respond to the scientific, medical, and caregiving challenges faced by the fibromyalgia population.

GIVING THANKS TO SUPPORTERS
Matallana also thanked the fibromyalgia community and supporters of the NFA in presenting a united voice in response to the controversial New York Times story which appeared on the front page of the January 14, 2008 issue (“Drug Approved. Is Disease Real?”)

“On behalf of the National Fibromyalgia Association and the millions of people with fibromyalgia who look to us to give them a voice in this fight, I want to thank everyone for their support and letters which we posted on our website, (http://www.fmaware.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6835)  encouraging and inspiring us to continue our work, despite the challenges that we continue to face, yet feel certain that we will overcome,” she said.

MEDIA APPEARANCES
In the wake of the New York Times article, Matallana and other fibromyalgia patients, including members of the NFA’s Leaders Against Pain Coalition, were featured in numerous newspaper and broadcast outlets the past several weeks.

Below is a partial list of the NFA’s most current media appearances:
(Note: Some links may expire without notice)

Broadcast:
“Healthy Body, Healthy Mind”:
Produced by The Information Network Television (INT), the “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” broadcast segment on Fibromyalgia depicts the personal stories of several patients throughout the country, including Matallana, NFA board member, Randy Wold and P.A.N.D.O.R.A.’s founder Marly Silverman. Dr. Steven Croft, Dr. Don Goldenberg and Dr. Daniel Clauw were also featured.
http://www.itvisus.com/programs/hbhm/episode_903_UnderstandingFibromyalgia.asp

CBS Philadelphia, “Painful, Misdiagnosed Disease”
http://cbs3.com/seenon/Fibromyalgia.Health.Alert.2.637463.html

The Indy Channel 6, Indianapolis, “Fibromyalgia Sufferers Have New Hope:”
http://www.theindychannel.com/health/15140038/detail.html

WUSA Channel 9, Washington DC, “Frances Bremer New Face of Women Suffering from Fibromyalgia”
http://www.wusa9.com/news/health/story.aspx?storyid=67725

ABC 7 Los Angeles, “Fibromyalgia Often Misunderstood”
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/media?id=5929803

Radio:

The Diane Rehm Show on National Public Radio, “Fibromyalgia”
http://wamu.org/programs/dr/08/01/15.php#18786

Print Media:

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080114/NEWS/801140370/-1/NEWS08
 
http://freeinternetpress.com/story.php?sid=14927
 
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/OPINION03/801240405/1040/LIFESTYLE03
 
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CommonPainProble...tory?id=4171721
 
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainManagement/story?id=4138715&page=1
 
http://www.buffalonews.com/lifearts/health/story/257658.html
 
http://www.star-telegram.com/health/story/433682.html
 

About the National Fibromyalgia Association:
The National Fibromyalgia Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia http://www.fmaware.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Corin Walson, APR
714-921-8850