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The donation program is part of a new online community resource,http://www.FibroCenter.com, which is intended to offer information to empowerthe fibromyalgia community and to foster positive dialogue. For each visitorwho takes a "pledge" on the Web site to learn about fibromyalgia, seek helpand stay positive, Pfizer will donate $1, up to a total of $100,000, tocertain groups dedicated to supporting people diagnosed with fibromyalgia.Specific details can be found on the Web site.
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"Fibromyalgia, like so many chronic pain conditions, is difficult todiagnose, difficult to treat, and has led many in the medical community tolabel legitimate patients as 'difficult.' People often mistakenly believe thatpain is something they just have to live with. They are often made to feelthat the pain is 'just in their heads,'" said Will Rowe, CEO of the AmericanPain Foundation. "We commend Pfizer for their leadership in increasingawareness of fibromyalgia and the rights of all people who suffer from pain."
Fibromyalgia affects millions of Americans and is characterized by chronicwidespread pain. Fibromyalgia is usually accompanied by poor sleep, stiffnessand fatigue. There is no known cause of fibromyalgia, but it is thought toresult from neurological changes in how patients perceive pain.
"There is clearly a need for greater awareness of and education about thiscommon pain condition," said Mark Rasmussen, CEO of the National PainFoundation. "It is our hope that an enhanced understanding of fibromyalgiawill empower those with the condition to seek and attain the care theydeserve."
"While we may not know the cause of fibromyalgia, it is clear that it hasa huge impact on ability to function," said Penney Cowan, founder andexecutive director of the American Chronic Pain Association. "Our goal is toprovide resources that can help people manage their pain so that they canfunction better and do the things in life they enjoy most."
Pfizer developed and maintains http://www.FibroCenter.com.
About the American Chronic Pain Association
The American Chronic Pain Association is a nonprofit, peer support, mutualaid organization providing help and hope to those suffering from chronic pain(pain that lasts six months or longer). For more than 25 years, the ACPA'smission has been two-fold: to facilitate peer support and education forindividuals with chronic pain and their families so that these individuals maylive more fully in spite of their pain; and to raise awareness among the
healthcare community, policy makers, and the public at large about issues ofliving with chronic pain. For more information, visit http://www.theacpa.org.
About the American Pain Foundation
Founded in 1997, the American Pain Foundation is an independent nonprofit501(c)3 organization serving people with pain through information, advocacy,and support. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people with painby raising public awareness, providing practical information, promotingresearch, and advocating to remove barriers and to increase access toeffective pain management. For more information, visithttp://www.painfoundation.org.
About the National Pain Foundation
The National Pain Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organi
