Canadians Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis Dedicate One Day to Make a Lasting
Difference on How They Manage Their Disease

'My Day for RA': A novel, 'goal-centered' patient program launches today

TORONTO, March 29 /CNW/ - Today, Canadians can join My Day for RA, a national education awareness campaign encouraging people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to dedicate one day to learn about their disease and set goals to empower themselves to better manage it. New resources are now available on insideRA.ca to help the thousands of Canadians living daily with this chronic and progressive disease.(1),(2)

"For many Canadians living with rheumatoid arthritis, it takes so much effort to perform day-to-day tasks like getting dressed or preparing meals, that they don't have time to think about how they can better manage their disease," said Dr. Janet Pope, Professor of Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario and Division Head in Rheumatology at St. Joseph's Health Care in London, Ontario. "By completing the My Day for RA Action Planner on insideRA.ca, Canadians living with RA can see the impact that RA has on so many aspects of their lives, including their relationships and daily living. This can help them discuss with their rheumatologist the impact of their disease, how to lessen that impact and help them to take more control of their RA."

In an effort to help Canadians with RA recognize how the disease impacts their day-to-day lives, two new tools have been added to InsideRA.ca, an educational resource. The My Day for RA Checklist is a tool with simple steps to help patients start a personal 'Day for RA.' A personal plan can include researching your disease, getting a fresh perspective by sharing goals with your loved ones, or joining a local RA community. The My Day for RA Action Planner is an interactive questionnaire created to help people with RA develop a straightforward and personalized action plan for the future. Questions are simple, but designed to help Canadians with RA recognize how it may affect or limit their lives so they can ensure they are best managing their disease and achieving their personal goals.

Although there are not always visible signs early on in the disease, people with RA may experience pain and fatigue which can impact every aspect of their lives as the disease progresses. For men and women with RA, daily activities that are often taken for granted such as getting up in the morning, going to work, or caring for one's family may become arduous tasks.

"Having lived with RA for over 20 years, I know how difficult it can be to focus on more than the pain, but I urge Canadians not to accept the inevitability of their disease," said recording artist Chantal Chamberland. "By dedicating a day now to learn more about their disease and setting goals for the future, I believe people living with RA can be better equipped to manage their disease. I encourage people living with RA to visit insideRA.ca to develop their personal Action Planner."

A 'Joint Effort'

Patients across Canada are taking part in My Day for RA and sharing their personal stories to inspire other men and women living with RA. From releasing a top-selling album, to mountain-climbing, to equestrian horse-riding and everyday activities, Canadians with rheumatoid arthritis demonstrate that a full life is possible.

"I like to see that Canadians with RA have more options to learn how to help them take control of their disease," said Steven McNair President and CEO of The Arthritis Society. "Through learning more about their disease, individuals with RA can empower themselves more fully."

About Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA is a chronic, progressive and disabling disease, affecting approximately one out of every hundred Canadians.(3) Typically affecting the hands, wrists and feet, RA may also affect the knees, hips and shoulders. If the disease persists over time, it can cause permanent damage, including tendon, ligament, cartilage and bone destruction and deformity.(4),(5) The disease commonly develops in early adulthood(6) and affects women three times more often than men.(7)

About InsideRA

InsideRA is part of a disease education and awareness program for Canadians living with RA, supported by Amgen Canada and Wyeth Canada. The goal of insideRA is to provide education and motivation for people with rheumatoid arthritis, including their friends and family, and empower people living with RA with the support and tools to help them take charge of their RA. At insideRA.ca you will find comprehensive information on RA, the impact of RA on quality of life, how to evaluate symptoms, treatment options, and the role and importance of a rheumatologist.

Information posted on this site is not intended to substitute medical advice or provide guidance on treatment, and patients are encouraged to speak to their doctors about appropriate treatment for their disease.

About Amgen Canada

Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing novel medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen is committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about Amgen's pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.ca.

About Pfizer in Canada

Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., the world's leading biopharmaceutical company. The company is one of the largest contributors to health research in Canada. Our diversified health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer Canada employees work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. We apply science and our global resources to improve the health and well-being of Canadians at every stage of life. Our commitment is reflected in everything Pfizer does, from our disease awareness initiatives to our community partnerships, to our belief that it takes more than medication to be truly healthy. To learn more about Pfizer's More than Medication philosophy and programs, visit morethanmedication.ca. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit www.pfizer.ca.

Wyeth is now a part of Pfizer Inc. The merger of local Wyeth and Pfizer entities may be pending in various jurisdictions and is subject to completion of various local legal and regulatory obligations.

    
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    References
    ------------------------
    (1) Arthritis Society of Canada. http://www.arthritis.ca/local%
        20programs/bcyukon/media/FAQ/default.asp?s=1. Accessed
        August 6, 2009.
    (2) Statistics Canada. Canada's Population Clock.
        http://www.statcan.gc.ca/ig-gi/pop-ca-eng.htm
        Accessed October 7, 2009.
    (3) Arthritis Society of Canada http://www.arthritis.ca/local%
        20programs/bcyukon/media/FAQ/default.asp?s=1. Accessed
        July 30, 2009.
    (4) "What is RA?" National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) Website.
        Available at http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk/article.php?article_id
        =224. Accessed May 2009.
    (5) Lee DM, Weinblatt ME. Rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet. 2001;358:903-911
    (6) Arthritis Society of Canada. http://www.arthritis.ca/types%20of%
        20arthritis/ra/default.asp?s=1. Accessed August 6, 2009.
    (7) "What is RA?" National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) Website.
        http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk/article.php?article_id=224.
        Accessed May 2009.
    

For further information: Carolyn Santillan, Jennifer Dolan, Edelman, [phone] ext. 351, 257, [email protected], [email protected]