Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey and Sussex

AFFTER - A Fibromyalgia Organization
(Advocates for Fibromyalgia Funding, Treatment, Education and Research)
April 9, 2008

RESEARCH INITIATIVE - AFFTER's Second On-Line Survey - 2008

We welcome you to participate in AFFTER's second research project, involving another on-line survey.

We sincerely appreciate all the participation in our study last year and hope you will join us in our research effort once again this year. All who participate should feel satisfaction in knowing your efforts are enabling researchers to learn more about fibromyalgia.

Significant results from our first survey enabled AFFTER to collaborate with researchers to produce multiple abstracts (research summaries). Three abstracts were chosen for presentation at the American College of Rheumatology meeting in November 2007 and were published in the Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism. You can view those abstracts at our website: http://www.affter.org/research.htm

Last year's study disclosed areas to evaluate in more detail and revealed additional topics to explore. Working with FMS researchers, AFFTER has compiled a new survey in effort to gain more understanding about this complex condition.

This questionnaire should take about 10 minutes to complete; we appreciate you taking the time to participate!

Start the survey by using this link (or pasting URL into your browser): http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=7uK_2bwe9M6uQHdelEDr1YGg_3d_3d

**DEADLINE** April 23, 2008! If you are going to participate, please do so now so you don't forget or miss the deadline!

Please FORWARD TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS to take the same survey, whether they do or do not have fibromyalgia. In particular, please encourage people WITHOUT fibromyalgia to participate because a good control group is necessary to validate any study and give the data more meaning.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Shari Ferbert
President, AFFTER

**MORE ABOUT AFFTER**
(Advocates for Fibromyalgia Funding, Treatment, Education and Research)

A non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, helping those with Fibromyalgia and related conditions.

**MISSION STATEMENT**

To participate in activities that increase awareness and understanding of fibromyalgia in the public, medical community and patient population. To organize charitable activities to specifically fund research and education that could lead to finding a cure or more effective treatments for fibromyalgia.

AFFTER is run by volunteers, most of whom have fibromyalgia. We have a solid organization in place with a professional board of directors and a strong medical advisory committee, including nationally and internationally known researchers. AFFTER works with these researchers to conduct FMS research. We publish newsletters (printed and online) to share research updates with the FMS community, as well as a variety of other information on treatments, coping tips, advocacy, etc. There are board members who are responsible for coordinating fund raising activities, educational projects, networking with other groups, publications, internet correspondence and publicity. We work with our medical advisory committee to help fund research projects that would benefit all FMS patients. Feel free to email us at info@AFFTER.org for information on how you can receive email updates or join our on-line support group. To learn more about fibromyalgia or AFFTER, or to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit our website: http://www.AFFTER.org. Credit card donations are now accepted through Paypal on our website; every dime is appreciated. We need your support to achieve our mission, which is to help improve the lives of the millions of people suffering with FMS.