2009 Fibromyalgia Syndrome Awareness Campaign 1 in 50

FibroAction's awareness campaign theme for the 2009 International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12th will be "1-in-50" focusing on how many people do not realise that they know someone with Fibro, but that as Fibro affects at least 1-in-50 people in the UK, most people will know someone with the condition.

Posters and videos to support this year's campaign are being developed and will be available on the FibroAction website and for use by support groups by May 12th.

There are a number of ways to get involved in the 2009 Awareness Campaign "1-in-50":

• Distribute information about Fibro and the 2009 Awareness Campaign "1-in-50" in your local area and on blogs, discussion boards and social network sites, such as Facebook and MySpace.
• Host an event yourself or with a local support group and send us the details to publicise over the next month. Click here to email us about your event. Don't forget to send us photos afterwards for a post-event slide show on this website!
• Organise a fundraising event with a JustGiving page - you can do this for sporting events, other sponsored activities, for a personal occasion or in memory of someone. The event doesn't even have to take place on May 12th. Click here to set up a JustGiving page.
• Make a resolution to be upfront about your Fibro! Having Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fibro) shouldn't be embarrassing, but many people find it easier to say "oh, I have something like Arthritis" when asked what they have, instead of trying to explain what Fibro is. If we all stop doing this and start telling people about Fibro, they will realise that they know "1-in-50".
• Share your personal story with the media. Local papers and radio stations often like to feature local people and the International Awareness Day on May 12th is a reason for them to tell your story. If you don't want to or can't do this, then why not ring up or text a radio show and request a song "for everyone with Fibromyalgia Syndrome as it's our International Awareness Day"?
• Go and see your MP and tell them that Fibro affects 1-in-50 as this is something many MPs simply don't realise. Invite them to any events your local support group may be organising. Ask them to join the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fibromyalgia Syndrome and support any debates on Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Check back regularly for updates on International Fibromyalgia Syndrome Awareness Day and the 2009 Awareness Campaign "1-in-50".