Announcing the 4th Annual World AutoImmune Arthritis Day! Come Join Us!

JOIN THE GLOBAL VIRTUAL WAVE NOW

“World Autoimmune Arthritis Day is coming May 20th, pre-registration opens TODAY- Get excited and join the Global Virtual Wave by sharing this post!” 

To be part of the wave all you have to do is “share” this post.

World Autoimmune Arthritis Day
Theme: A Day in the Life of an Autoimmune Arthritis Patient

This Global Virtual Wave marks the official OPENING OF World Autoimmune Arthritis Day 2014 (WAAD14) Registration as we start the countdown to May 20th.

WAAD14 celebrates May 20th in EVERY time zone in the world, so the online Virtual Convention “opens” its’ virtual doors at 6am ET/USA on May 19th and runs for 47 continuous hours, closing on May 21st 5am ET/USA. You can visit dozens of virtual booths hosted by organizations around the world, tune in to live Chats by scientists, patient advocates and more, send supporters to the Day in the Life of an World Autoimmune Arthritis Day Patient feature booth, learn about all the latest research and download 1,000's of resources right to your home computer!!!

So let's start the wave and get pre-registered for the event. Those who pre-register get a complimentary WAAD14 limited edition bag (ships internationally). Pre-registration cost to attend is $5.00 USD and $7.00 USD after the event begins at 6am ET/USA May 19th. 100% of the proceeds are used to put on the event.

Learn more about WAAD14:
http://www.worldautoimmunearthritisday.org/Home_Page.html

Register: https://engage.vevent.com/rt/ifaa~waad14

Another Huge JUMP ahead for IFAA thanks to Janssen Global!

And we're off!

The International Foundation for Autoimmune Arthritis received a large grant from Janssen Global, Inc. to begin a study that, when finished, will combat the delay in diagnosis that is often associated with these diseases. Current AVERAGE time for diagnosis is 1-3 PLUS years, but the "plus years" is often 5, 7, even 10 or more. Given 50% of all patients can experience complete disability 10 years after ONSET if not treated properly, this means if a delay in diagnosis is 3 years the patient is almost 1/3 of the way to disability before ever starting treatment...and any damage accrued in that time is PERMANENT and IRREVERSIBLE, regardless if clinical remission can be achieved.

We will begin developing a survey that will analyze the early symptoms- as recorded by patients- then take the findings and cross-reference what is currently used as a model for detection, referral, and diagnosis. With these results we will then be able develop wellness education for primary care physicians and other "first responders", as well as rheumatologists, that can broaden the understanding of early symptoms, thus promoting an accelerated process towards diagnosis. In addition, we will be able to review the crossover in symptoms that occur in all Autoimmune Arthritis diseases, regardless of the outcome of final diagnosis, which should narrow the mystery of what it could be and push towards more firm treatment plans associated with the 'undifferentiated' genre.

We'll be coming for YOU to participate in this two part study, first analyzing patients in the US and the second phase will expand to a global level. YOU can be part of the change, matter-in-fact, we insist...because we are all about making the patient first in research!

Survey will be ready for distribution in March 2013. Results will be revealed LIVE during World Autoimmune Arthritis Day in May.

Thank you also to the Spondylitis Association of America & the @International Stills Disease Foundation for already signing on to help us recruit patients and distribute the survey. "Together we will move mountains, bulldozers are so overrated." -Tiffany Westrich, CEO of IFAA

Introducing the VERY 1ST Patient-Centered RESEARCH Project - IFAA sponsored by Janssen Global

I was so totally thrilled yesterday evening when I got this announcement! Excited for IFAA (International Foundation For Autoimmune Arthritis), for myself as a New Active Volunteer & for ALL PATIENTS out there have suffered too long, waited sometimes years, went through the pits and fires, walked through what seemed like a long black hallway, before finding a real "diagnosis". Sound Familiar? Yes, it describes so MANY of us around the globe!

               Here is the "official announcement" from IFAA of the very

                                 First Patient Centered Research Project!

http://www.ifautoimmunearthritis.org

So, after much hard work by some dedicated volunteers, which story started with one young woman determined to change the Face of How Those with Autoimmune Arthritis would be helped!

As you can see, we have Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. to thank for helping with such an extremely important study! Please take a look at their website to see they believe in patients being their inspiration!


This is truly a new step to the Future of Autoimmune Arthritis being diagnosed early, being treated earlier, less damage, and a better quality of life!

~~~~~~~~~ Congrats! To the both of them!!! This is a remarkable and memorable day ~~~~~~~~~