Jo acknowledged by NFA’s International Leaders Against Pain (LAP) Coalition
3rd September 2007
Horsham woman is newest member of National Fibromyalgia Association’s International Leaders Against Pain Coalition
Largest gathering of international fibromyalgia patients complete media & advocacy training in Washington D.C.
ANAHEIM, Calif, USA.---- The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) today announced that Jo Fisher of Horsham West Sussex is the newest member of the NFA’s International Leaders Against Pain (LAP) Coalition, following her successful completion of the 3rd Annual Leaders Against Pain seminar August 22-23 in Washington, D.C.
Jo Fisher joined 25 other fibromyalgia patients and advocates from 14 different countries, along with 40 of their U.S. counterparts, at “Leaders 3”—making it the largest contingent of international fibromyalgia patients to attend the NFA’s one-of-a-kind media, leadership and advocacy training program since its inception in 2005.
Fibromyalgia experts estimate that about 10 million Americans and approximately five percent of the population worldwide suffer with this complex chronic pain illness.
“For decades, people with fibromyalgia have continued to be misunderstood and under-served throughout the world,” said Lynne Matallana, president of the National Fibromyalgia Association. “The members of the NFA’s International Leaders Against Pain Coalition will fill a need for the development of long-term initiatives and commitments in order to forge alliances and collaborative programs to help improve the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia globally.”
Jo Fisher is the Founder and group Development Officer for the Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey and Sussex . Jo was one of 2 that attended from England and there was one attendee from Scotland who is a G.P. and also a sufferer of Fibromyalgia and two attendees from Ireland. All Leaders applied for a scholarship from the NFA to attend the seminar, which included roundtrip airfare to the American capital and admission to the MYOPAIN Society’s 7th World Congress on Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia August 19-23 2007.
“I am honored to have represented my group and England for the 1st time at the Leaders Against Pain seminar,” said Jo Fisher. “Updating my skills is essential to providing effective and appropriate management of this condition. I had the opportunity to develop links with other international NFA Coalition Leaders and form a strong network in the area of fibromyalgia.”
Countries represented at the National Fibromyalgia Association’s 3rd Annual Leaders Against Pain included: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, England, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United States.
About Leaders Against Pain
The Leaders Against Pain seminar teaches participants how to work with the media; develop local advocacy programs; initiate state- or nation-wide policy initiatives; and create community and corporate partnerships to support efforts on behalf of people with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain illnesses.
Graduates of the program go on to become members of the Leaders Against Pain Coalition, which currently has 98 support group leaders and advocate members representing 25 U.S. states and the countries of England, Israel, and Mexico.
The 3rd Annual International Leaders Against Pain Seminar was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Eli Lilly (Title Sponsor). Supporting sponsors include Purdue Pharma, Pfizer, Wyeth and Fibronol.
For more information about the National Fibromyalgia Association and Leaders Against Pain Coalition, visit: http://www.fmaware.org.
About the National Fibromyalgia Association
The National Fibromyalgia Association is a [501(c) 3] nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia by increasing the awareness of the public, media, government and medical communities. The NFA publishes Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine three times a year and hosts its award-winning website http://www.fmaware.org.
CONTACTS:
National Fibromyalgia Association
April Quinn
714-921-0150
aquinn@fmaware.org
Media:
Corin Walson, APR
714-921-8850
cwalson@walsonpr.com
 
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