April Newsletter
In this issue: INvisible Project expands its reach | New CT support group launches | Take Control of Your Pain takes to White Plains | Gileno & Steinberg honored by AAPM | Advocates express concerns on key federal issues | Last call for migraine awareness month proclamations | and more! 
Awareness, Education, & Support
INvisible Project expands its reach

The flagship campaign is expanding its mission by increasing to two editions this year and working to highlight specific patient populations. An edition highlighting migraine disease will come out next month.  Read more.
New CT support group launches

A new support group open to Connecticut residents living with chronic pain will hold its inaugural meeting April 19 at 1 pm at U.S. Pain's headquarters at 670 Newfield Street, Suite C, in Middletown.   Read more.
Gileno & Steinberg honored with prestigious award

Not one, but two U.S. Pain leaders were honored with the Presidential Commendation from the American Academy of Pain Medicine on March 17.  Read more.
Take Control of Your Pain takes to White Plains

U.S. Pain Foundation hosted a Take Control of Your Pain education day on April 2 in partnership with the New York State Pain Society.   Read more.
Federal Advocacy
Volunteers mobilize, take action on key federal issues

U.S. Pain volunteers mobilized quickly this month to respond to two problematic proposals at the national level that would potentially harm patients.  Read more.
U.S. Pain's response to the ACA repeal debate
 
Committed to fighting for affordable access to quality care for individuals living with chronic illnesses, U.S. Pain Foundation has been monitoring the ongoing health care debate at the federal level.  Read more.
Sharing the stories of patients who rely on biosimilars

Patients for Biologics Safety and Access, a coalition that U.S. Pain Foundation belongs to, has created four videos sharing the stories of patients who rely on biologics and biosimilars.  Read more. 
State Advocacy
Last call for migraine awareness proclamations

Interested in getting involved with U.S. Pain's recognition of Migraine Awareness Month in June? Consider signing up to obtain a proclamation in your state or town.  Read more.
Nonmedical switching efforts continue

The pace of the 2017 legislative session picked up this month as U.S. Pain continued to lead related coalitions in three states--Tennessee, Illinois, and Connecticut--and sits on the steering committee of a coalition in Texas.   Read more.
Pain Warrior of the Month:
Crystal Grieves
Location: Cumberland, MD
Pain warrior role: Ambassador since 2014
Pain conditions: Psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, pustular psoriasis disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and migraines
Fun fact: She is an avid music lover and loves statistical analysis; put the two together, and she is in her element. 
Favorite tip: "Pink Floyd sang 'Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day.' This reminds me to sit for a few moments each day for myself, because time is all we have and yet never enough."

Crystal Grieves is an incredibly active pain warrior and pain ambassador despite her many health challenges. She always has a kind word of encouragement for her fellow pain warriors and is willing to take on any task to support the organization. Volunteering to host an information table in honor of Rare Disease Day is just one small, recent example of Crystal's contributions to U.S. Pain.

If you'd like to nominate a Pain Warrior of the Month, contact newsletter@uspainfoundation.org. Pain warriors can be anyone who supports the pain community, whether patients, caregivers, clinicians, donors, or policymakers.
In the news
For more U.S. Pain Foundation news articles, visit  our news & events page.
Upcoming Events
  • April 6: Pain Connection afternoon conference call
  • April 8: National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference
  • April 13: Pain Connection evening conference call
  • April 19: Inaugural Connecticut support group meeting
  • April 29: Natural Approaches to Chronic Pain seminar
For full details about this month's events, visit our online calendar.
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Do you have U.S. Pain-­related news to share? Send news tips and any other comments to  newsletter@uspainfoundation.org. We welcome your feedback! 
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