Society Launches National Conversation on Living With Arthritis
www.ThePain.ca; 1-855-599-PAIN; #ThePain
TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - The Arthritis Society today launched a nationwide campaign to urge Canadians to speak up and "Share The Pain" they experience in living with arthritis. The Society is aiming to change the conversation about arthritis and trigger a candid, national discussion on the reality of a disease that affects millions of Canadians of every age.
"We want to hear from the more than 4.6 million Canadians who live with the pain of arthritis each and every day - whether it is physical, emotional or financial pain. More than that, we want offer them a place to speak up, to share their stories and to inspire solutions," said Janet Yale, president and CEO of The Arthritis Society.
The campaign website can be found at www.ThePain.ca. The site offers a national exchange of experiences including tools to comment and "like" the stories of others.
To cast as wide a net as possible, stories can be shared in a wide variety of ways:
- Toll free line: 1-855-599-PAIN
- Twitter using hashtag #ThePain
- Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArthritisSociety
"I wish this tool had been around when my disease was first diagnosed," added Sara Lebensold, a 31-year-old from Toronto who lives with chronic pain from palindromic rheumatoid arthritis. "Having the support of a community of people going through the same things I am, their insights, inspiration - even just a sympathetic ear would have made a huge difference for me in coming to terms with my arthritis and taking back ownership of my life. It's empowering to know that I can access that support - and support others in turn - just by sharing my story."
The campaign launch is part of The Arthritis Society's 65th anniversary and a renewed focus for The Society to set lives in motion in all aspects of life including home, work and play. This means developing focused solutions for clearly defined problems.
"We believe we can change perceptions that others hold about this disease through a national conversation about the reality of living with arthritis," continued Yale. "As we like to say, we have arthritis but it doesn't have us."
ABOUT THE ARTHRITIS SOCIETY
The Arthritis Society has been setting lives in motion for over 65 years. Dedicated to a vision of living well while creating a future without arthritis, The Society is Canada's principal health charity providing education, programs and support to the over 4.6 million Canadians living with arthritis. Since its founding in 1948, The Society has been the largest non-government funder of arthritis research in Canada, investing more than $185 million in projects that have led to breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with arthritis. For more information and to make a donation, visit www.arthritis.ca.
SOURCE: Arthritis Society
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Douglas Emerson
National Manager, Communications - The Arthritis Society
tel: 416-979-7228 x3348
cell: 647-706-0440
email: [email protected]
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