Can JA make the cut?

You might think that JA is uncommon when in reality it is the fourth most commonly acquired childhood disease following only diabetes, epilepsy, and cancer. So if JA is this common, why do so few people know about it? This is a question that I've been asking myself for quite a while. I think part of the reason is money . . . or lack there of. 


The Arthritis Foundation gets very little funding  and support from our law makers.   President Obama speaks publicly about the increasing burden of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer, but he never mentions arthritis.  Congress is faced with making cuts in federal funding, and arthritis research is on the chopping block.

The Arthritis Foundation tries to raise money by sponsoring arthritis walks, the Jingle Bell Run, and other fundraisers.  They even sponsor an  Advocay Summit in Washington D.C. (which I'll talk about in a future post).

What can you do to help?  The Arthritis Foundation makes is very easy to email a form letter to Congress and President Obama asking them not to cut funding.   If you want to become an Advocate, it is as easy as clicking the links below.

• http://www.arthritis.org/priorities-research.php

• http://www.arthritis.org/ask/

Ignoring juvenile arthritis is unacceptable.  Let's be sure the President and Members of Congress hear our voice!