Now Is the Time to Get Involved! September 2010 is Pain Awareness Month

by Heather Grace

Are you experiencing chronic severe pain? Are you one of those suffering with an 'invisible illness' in silence? Are you a pain patient who feels alone, undertreated by doctors, ashamed to admit you have to take pain medication to survive? Pain can be an overwhelming condition--let's working together to conquer it... one patient at a time!

Now is the time -- September 2010

Outreach and advocacy activities are set to take place coast to coast. People will focus on raising awareness about the undertreatment of pain, advocating for change in governmental policies, and distributing educational resources to everyone who needs them: people with pain, their caregivers and health care practitioners.

2010 marked an enormous victory for pain management. Provisions in the National Pain Care Policy Act passed with the Health Care Reform bill after 7 years in the making! We’ve garnered awareness and momentum around pain and the challenges it creates for millions of people, but there is still so much work to do. Most pain sufferers still do not receive the level of care they both need and deserve. Join the fight and make the difference!

What will you do to make a difference in the treatment of pain this September? Last year's events were very successful. Here are some of the highlights:

Twenty-two “September is Pain Awareness Month” proclamations were declared by Governors and Mayors through the efforts of organizations working for better pain management practices.

Over 300 activities and events took place across the country with an thousands in attendance.

I am certain this year, September 2010's Pain Awareness Month will have an even greater impact. Here are some of the projects in development:

There are TWO events set up on FaceBook:

Women in Pain Awareness/Recognition - Over 100 People Attending/Maybe Attending

Women in Pain Awareness - Over 100 People Attending/Maybe Attending

Join the American Pain Foundation's Virtual March:
The VIRTUAL MARCH is an online event to unite, empower and rally! Whether you are in pain or you care about someone living in pain, help make a difference in policy and practice. Join the march! Help transform pain policy into improved pain management for all!

There are many LIVE events being set-up nationwide, including:

AZ:

Arizona Diamondbacks Helping Power of Pain Foundation Strike Out Chronic Pain - Sept 26. Fundraising Ticket/T-Shirt Sales by POP at Chase Field. The AZ Diamondbacks take on the LA Dodgers in the last home game of the season.

CA:

For Grace's 3rd Annual Women in Pain Conference: Gender Matters - Sept 17. Register now! Women in pain, their caregivers and healthcare providers will gather in Los Angeles to educate, support and empower women to take responsibility for their own health and wellness.

Intractable Pain Patients United (IPPU) Pain Art Walk - Sept 25. Los Angeles/Orange County area artists will display their art, discussing their pain conditions, creating education/awareness.

More information to come, soon! PLEASE -- send us information on your event and we will post it here! September 2010 is Pain Awareness Month -- It's OUR Month!

:) Thanks everyone!
Heather @ ThePainStore.com