May Newsletter
In this issue: Learn about Your Pain is relaunched | Five ways to get involved with Migraine and Headache Awareness Month | PAINS annual report released | Want to help make positive change? Consider a fundraiser | Tune in to to key events on federal pain policy | U.S. Pain speaks at largest medical cannabis conference | and more!
Awareness, Education, & Support
Learn about Your Pain website is relaunched

U.S. Pain Foundation recently relaunched its educational website, Learn about Your Pain. New features include complementary treatment options, support group information, and contact information for a U.S. Pain volunteer with the same condition.  Read more.
Five ways to get involved with Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

"By getting involved in June, you can help so many people dealing with this misunderstood, debilitating condition," says Katie Golden, a California pain ambassador who has migraine disease.  Read more.
Don't miss the PAINS 2016 report on chronic pain

Last month, the Pain Action Alliance to Implement a National Strategy (PAINS) released its annual, in-depth report on issues facing Americans living with chronic pain.  Read more.
Want to help make positive change? Consider a fundraiser

As a nonprofit, U.S. Pain Foundation runs solely on contributions from corporate sponsors as well as private donors. Even if you can't donate yourself, you can help by hosting a fundraiser.  Read more. 
Federal Advocacy
Tune in to two key federal pain policy events in May

Members are encouraged to attend livestreams of two major events about pain policy at the federal level happening this May. Cindy Steinberg, national director of Advocacy and Policy, will be speaking at one.  Read more.
Advocating at the FDA for safer medications

On April 5, U.S. Pain Senior State Advocate Wendy Foster flew to D.C. for the joint meeting about an abuse-deterrent product at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Read more.
Speaking out on federal issues
 
U.S. Pain submitted letters on three key federal topic this month: a proposed measure for tracking opioid abuse; the reauthorization of an act on drug evaluations; and setting up a database for off-label use of treatments.  Read more.
U.S. Pain appointed to NCPIE board of directors
 
The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) recently announced that the U.S. Pain Foundation is among eight patient groups selected in the "consumer organization" board of directors category.  Read more.
State Advocacy
Lenox Smith speaks at largest medical cannabis conference

Earlier this month, Ellen Lenox Smith, advocacy director of U.S. Pain's Medical Cannabis program. spoke at the largest conference dedicated to improving access to medical cannabis: the Americans for Safe Access Unity Conference.   Read more.
Update on nonmedical switching efforts

Nonmedical switching advocacy had some major developments in April, as many state legislatures begin to wrap up the 2017 session.  Read more.
Pain Warrior of the Month:
Dawn Stancliff
Location: Balitmore, MD
Age: 37 years old 
Pain warrior role: Advocate and ambassador since 2014
Conditions: Melker-Rosenthal Syndrome, Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome, lymphadnopothy, fibromyalgia, Non-Specific Brain T-2 flair lesions, degenerative disc disease, retinal inflammatory lesions, neuropathy, and demyelination of the facial nerve
Fun fact: When feeling up to it, Stancliff uses what she learned at The School of Fine Arts & Photography to be creative. She enjoys playing with art of all kinds, including professional photography, sewing, and painting.
Favorite tip: "Be your own advocate. You need to empower yourself through your illness. Becoming a pain advocate has let me meet other individuals like myself, and together we help each other. Remember to take deep breaths, be as patient with others as you can, and whatever you do, do not let anyone tell you that you cannot get through this. You can get through anything."
 
As an active advocate, Stancliff has spent time at the National Institutes for Health. She is a staunch advocate for rare diseases, as she, herself, has several. When discussing her nomination this month she noted, "You have to be willing to love yourself enough to 'fight the good fight' every single day. Once that mindset happens, you will feel mighty...no longer a worrier, but a warrior, and a mighty warrior at that!"

If you'd like to nominate a Pain Warrior of the Month, contact [email protected]. Pain warriors can be anyone who supports the pain community, whether patients, caregivers, clinicians, donors, or policymakers.
Upcoming Events
  • May 3: Tuscon Pain Connection support group meeting (Arizona)
  • May 4: Pain Connection live conference call
  • May 11: Implementation of the National Pain Strategy listening session & Pain Connection live conference call
  • May 15: Acupuncture Day on the Hill (Massachusetts)
  • May 17: Middlesex County support group meeting (Connecticut)
  • May 18: American Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting (Pennsylvania)
  • May 31: NIH Annual Pain Consortium Symposium
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  [email protected]. We welcome your feedback! 
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