World Arthritis Day

World Arthritis Day (WAD), established in 1996 by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) is a global initiative bringing people together to raise awareness of issues affecting people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). WAD is celebrated every year on 12 October and is supported by a year-round global campaign.

The aims of WAD, set by The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), PARE (the Standing Committee of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe) and the WAD community are:

To raise awareness of RMDs amongst the medical community, people with RMDs and the general public.

To influence public policy by making decision-makers aware of the burden of RMDs and the steps which can be taken to ease it.

To ensure all people with RMDs and their caregivers are aware of the vast support network available to them.

Now, people with RMDs from around the world can join together to make their voices heard on this day. World Arthritis Day is an ideal focus for organisations to raise awareness of issues affecting people with RMDs and for individuals to support campaigns.

Source: worldarthritisday.org