World Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis Day

Highlights:

• World Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis Day (WAAD) is observed every year on 20^thMay
• WAAD is an annual event to fuel awareness about autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases with arthritis as a major component
• The theme of WAAD 2018 is a virtual"auto" race around the world via social media (Facebook &Twitter), where dozens of nonprofit organizations participate as the Race Teams.

World Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis Day (WAAD) is an annual event hosted on 20^th May that raises awareness about autoimmune arthritis diseases through various events for the duration of all Time Zones. WAAD was established in 2012 by the International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis (IFAA) to raise global awareness about the major components of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases with arthritis - the main ones are autoimmune arthritis and autoinflammatory arthritis (AI arthritis).

The mission of IFAA is to utilize the patient voice to improve advocacy, education, and research on AI arthritis.

Since 2014, the theme of WAAD is a virtual "auto" race around the world via social media (Facebook & Twitter), where dozens of nonprofit organizations participate as the Race Teams. The convention starts on 19^th May, and lasts for 2 days.

This year, 2018, IFAA, in an aim to advance the awareness to next levels, is declaring an Official #WAAD18 Race to Fuel Awareness and is inviting other teams like Bloggers and Support Groups to join forces along with nonprofits.

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When is WAAD?

WAAD is hosted on 20^th May and covers all Time Zones (19^th May 6 am EST - May 21st 5 am EST) providing a total of 47 consecutive hours of awareness.

To participate, translate the start time to your time zone. The waving of the green flag will start the race at the onset of World AUTOimmune & AUTOinflammatory Arthritis Day 2018 - 6 am EST/USA 19^th May. This is the first time zone that strikes midnight on 20^th May. The waving of the chequered flag will signify the end of the last time zone globally (5 am EST/USA 21^st May).

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How can you participate in this virtual, online Race to Fuel Awareness

At the Official#WAAD18 Race, you can raise awareness on your own or help and cheer your favorite teams to achieve this goal.

The goal is to get 100,000 awareness miles as a community! That’s the number of miles the organization aims to “drive” during #WAAD18.

Get Ready – Pick your race team (optional) – Choose the Nonprofit and Advocacy Team that is leading the awareness this May by going online to www.waad18.org

Get Set – Plan your awareness strategy – Plan on how you can drive awareness miles during the race. Invite friends and family to help.

Go! – Go online on 20^th May at your location to earn your miles.

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How to earn awareness miles

• You earn 1 mile each, if you “Like” or “Share” on social media posts.
• You earn 10 miles, if you create an awareness poster or video.
• You earn 50 miles, if you host an awareness party.
• You earn 10 -50 miles, if you are creative! The more awareness you create the more miles you get!
• To learn more about the rules of participating, go to the World Autoimmune Arthritis Day website.

Winning #WAAD18 Race – the Official Race to Fuel Awareness

The goal for ‘winning’ #WAAD18 is to drive 100,000 ‘miles’ collectively, as a community, across the globe.

To recognize not only the top team but also other teams that really went out to ensure that awareness is fueled to next levels, the winner of the #WAAD18 event will be the top three Nonprofit Race Teams & Advocate Teams that earn the most points during the event.

The winners of both the Blogger/Support Group Race and the Nonprofit Race will be announced on 21^st May at 1 pm EST online on Facebook & Twitter pages during the Closing Ceremonies on WAAD.

The winners will receive -

• A real and graphic racing trophy that they can post on their website/page.
• An Amazon gift card for $150, $100 and $75 for the first, second and third places respectively – this is for Patients Advocate Team Leaders only.
• A feature in the #WAAD report that is distributed to patients, pharmaceuticals, and non-pharmaceutical partners.

So, Get Ready, Set and GO!

Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis – AI Arthritis

AI Arthritis is caused by inflammation in association with autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases. It is different from osteoarthritis (OA) that occurs due to aging, wear and tear, injury, or extreme pressure/weight on the joints. OA can cause complete destruction of the cartilage resulting in bone on bone pain.

AI arthritis, on the other hand, stems from parts of the immune system. The diseases produce inflammation that spreads throughout the whole body. The initial onset may start in one joint and spread to any joint in the body as the inflammation travels through the bloodstream.

The disease has a genetic component involved. The onset of the disease is around 20 to 40 years in adults. Symptoms of pain feel a lot like an injury or a bone bruise.

AI arthritis is often considered "invisible" as the pain is felt well before it progresses to “visible” and permanent damage.

References:

1. World AUTOimmune & AUTOinflammatory Arthritis Day - (http://www.worldautoimmunearthritisday.org/home.html)
2. AI Arthritis - (http://www.aiarthritis.org/)

Source-Medindia