American Pain Foundation Hosts Virtual March on Washington for September Pain Awareness Month -- Launches 10,000 Voices Campaign
The American Pain Foundation, the nation's leading pain advocacy organization in the country is trying to raise awareness about pain issues by hosting a Virtual March on Washington during September's Pain Awareness Month. American Pain Foundation also offers free resources for people with pain.
Baltimore, MD, September 02, 2010 --(PR.com)-- In recognition of September’s designation as Pain Awareness Month, the American Pain Foundation (APF) announced today the start of an online Virtual March on Washington which will include the launch of the 10,000 Voices campaign. Designed to highlight the need for access to timely, appropriate pain care for the more than 76.5 million Americans who deal with pain that lasts for more than 24 hours, the Virtual March and 10,000 Voices campaign will provide the resources and tools for people to raise awareness of pain issues and pain management, advocate for continued improvements in pain policy, and provide a gathering place for people to share their personal stories on pain.
“Although provisions of the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009 were signed into law last March, we still have a long way to go to bring pain to the forefront in every community throughout the country,” said Will Rowe, chief executive officer of APF. “We must seize this opportunity to come together and join the movement—people in pain, family members, caregivers and members of the medical community; build on the momentum of the bill; dismantle the barriers preventing better pain management; and conquer pain together.”
The Virtual March runs from September 1 through September 30, 2010, and will feature:
the launch of the 10,000 Voices campaign—an online opportunity for people in pain, their caregivers and health care professionals to record and share their individual stories;
a letter writing campaign with topic-specific letters to send to decision makers—a key opportunity to share how pain has affected one’s life and to encourage decision makers to make policy changes;
videos highlighting the challenges of certain pain conditions;
a Pain Awareness Month Online Advocacy Toolkit to help plan local awareness activities and reach out to local media; and
an online guide providing tips on how to spread the word using social media tools (Facebook, Twitter, blogs)
“The Virtual March offers the tools to unite, empower and rally those who care about people living with pain and encourages them to be part of a movement that is making a difference in pain policy and pain management in a way that is accessible from your home or office. People can choose to participate in one activity or all,” said Rowe.
To learn more about the Virtual March and to find or post an activity that is happening in your area, visit www.APFActionNetwork.org.
American Pain Foundation Resources
APF also encourages people in pain and their caregivers to use the following free resources available on www.painfoundation.org:
APF Publications (available online)
- “Access Matters: Making Sense of Health Coverage” discusses types of health insurance and how to get the most from your coverage.
- “Pain Resource Guide: Getting the Help You Need” helps people take charge of their pain by providing information about pain and tips to help people get quality pain care.
- “Treatment Options: A Guide for People Living with Pain” provides information about medications, psychosocial interventions, complementary approaches, rehabilitation therapies, surgical interventions and more.
- “Target Chronic Pain” provides easy-to-use practical tools for pain assessment, management and communication.
- “Pain Monitor,” a monthly e-newsletter, highlights news, legislative updates, research and resources for people living with pain.
- “Exit Wounds: A Survival Guide to Pain Management for Returning Veterans and Their Families” offers veterans and their families vital information for their pain journey.
- PainAid—A Thriving Online Support Community
- PainAid is APF’s online support community featuring regularly-scheduled live chats each week, more than 100 message boards and “Ask-the-Expert” sessions moderated by licensed health care professionals. This free service is an online forum for people living with pain and their caregivers. Topics range from illness-specific pain, traditional and complementary treatments, to depression and family matters, financial issues such as disability and workers compensation.
About the American Pain Foundation
Founded in 1997, the American Pain Foundation (APF) is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization serving people with pain through information, advocacy and support. The mission of APF is to improve the quality of life of people living with pain by raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research and advocating to remove barriers and increase access to effective pain management. For more information, visit www.painfoundation.org.
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“Although provisions of the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009 were signed into law last March, we still have a long way to go to bring pain to the forefront in every community throughout the country,” said Will Rowe, chief executive officer of APF. “We must seize this opportunity to come together and join the movement—people in pain, family members, caregivers and members of the medical community; build on the momentum of the bill; dismantle the barriers preventing better pain management; and conquer pain together.”
The Virtual March runs from September 1 through September 30, 2010, and will feature:
the launch of the 10,000 Voices campaign—an online opportunity for people in pain, their caregivers and health care professionals to record and share their individual stories;
a letter writing campaign with topic-specific letters to send to decision makers—a key opportunity to share how pain has affected one’s life and to encourage decision makers to make policy changes;
videos highlighting the challenges of certain pain conditions;
a Pain Awareness Month Online Advocacy Toolkit to help plan local awareness activities and reach out to local media; and
an online guide providing tips on how to spread the word using social media tools (Facebook, Twitter, blogs)
“The Virtual March offers the tools to unite, empower and rally those who care about people living with pain and encourages them to be part of a movement that is making a difference in pain policy and pain management in a way that is accessible from your home or office. People can choose to participate in one activity or all,” said Rowe.
To learn more about the Virtual March and to find or post an activity that is happening in your area, visit www.APFActionNetwork.org.
American Pain Foundation Resources
APF also encourages people in pain and their caregivers to use the following free resources available on www.painfoundation.org:
APF Publications (available online)
- “Access Matters: Making Sense of Health Coverage” discusses types of health insurance and how to get the most from your coverage.
- “Pain Resource Guide: Getting the Help You Need” helps people take charge of their pain by providing information about pain and tips to help people get quality pain care.
- “Treatment Options: A Guide for People Living with Pain” provides information about medications, psychosocial interventions, complementary approaches, rehabilitation therapies, surgical interventions and more.
- “Target Chronic Pain” provides easy-to-use practical tools for pain assessment, management and communication.
- “Pain Monitor,” a monthly e-newsletter, highlights news, legislative updates, research and resources for people living with pain.
- “Exit Wounds: A Survival Guide to Pain Management for Returning Veterans and Their Families” offers veterans and their families vital information for their pain journey.
- PainAid—A Thriving Online Support Community
- PainAid is APF’s online support community featuring regularly-scheduled live chats each week, more than 100 message boards and “Ask-the-Expert” sessions moderated by licensed health care professionals. This free service is an online forum for people living with pain and their caregivers. Topics range from illness-specific pain, traditional and complementary treatments, to depression and family matters, financial issues such as disability and workers compensation.
About the American Pain Foundation
Founded in 1997, the American Pain Foundation (APF) is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization serving people with pain through information, advocacy and support. The mission of APF is to improve the quality of life of people living with pain by raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research and advocating to remove barriers and increase access to effective pain management. For more information, visit www.painfoundation.org.
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Contact
American Pain Foundation
Tina Regester
443-690-4707
www.painfoundation.org
Tina Regester
443-690-4707
www.painfoundation.org
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