Lamezia Terme – May 12th is the 32nd anniversary of Fibromyalgia Awareness Day recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). To no longer be invisible, on the occasion of World Fibromyalgia Day and after the success of past years, AISF – Italian Association of Fibromyalgia Syndrome ODV is re-proposing the “No longer inVISibili” initiative throughout the national territory. The event will also be held in Lamezia on Sunday from 10am to 8pm on Corso Giovanni Nicotera, pedestrian area. “You will be given a gift – they say – of a brooch made by the AISF volunteers from Lamezia Terme and Amantea and whoever wants can take a plant with a voluntary contribution”. The event, which will consist of illuminating squares, buildings and monuments throughout Italy in purple, aims to “raise public awareness of the conditions of the fibromyalgia patient, who suffers from an unrecognized and often further neglected pathology, and without an exemption code. Many local authorities have joined the initiative, a sign that our voice is starting to be heard by the institutions, even if there is still a lot of work to be done. Heartfelt thanks to all the local administrations who will light up an important building/monument in their city in purple and to all the volunteers who are working with strength and passion to raise awareness and spread the initiative. We believe the network of requests presented and positively received can generate a strong visual and emotional impact, both in the local communities involved and in the Italian population as a whole. The contemporary images of many purple-coloured squares and monuments, accompanied by appropriate awareness and information messages, will in fact be an exceptional vehicle for promoting patients’ rights”.
In parallel, since 2021, AISF has been promoting another awareness initiative throughout Italy, “Our pain deserves rest”, consisting of coloring a bench purple (the color that represents Fibromyalgia) and affixing a plaque with this phrase, to in order to inform and involve the citizens of the participating municipalities. During the month of May there will be numerous initiatives and activities to support the sick (open days, information desks, round tables, awareness shows, dedicated walks and even a sailing trip). We can all do something, in fact on May 12, 2024, millions of people around the world will participate in this day by organizing various events. In this historical moment, decisive for the institutional recognition of fibromyalgia, we believe it is of fundamental help to increasingly shine the spotlight on the pathology. We can all do something by supporting initiatives proposed to raise awareness of fibromyalgia, an invisible and debilitating chronic condition. Thanks to those who want to support our initiatives. No longer InVISIBLE so that the rights to HEALTH and CARE for patients with fibromyalgia are guaranteed.
Fibromyalgia, or FM, the association finally explains, “is a chronic condition that affects approximately 2-5% of the world’s population and is more common in young and middle-aged women. There are a myriad of symptoms, ranging from muscle and bone pain, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, stiffness in joints and muscles that can last up to 3 months, headaches, numbness and tingling in the arms or legs.” AISF ODV is a non-profit “illness” association that brings together patients, doctors, family members, friends, professionals and volunteers, with the exclusive aim of social solidarity, aiming to promote and develop projects that respond, in the field of healthcare, to the needs of the fibromyalgia patient. AISF currently has 30 operational local sections and is working to further expand its presence on Italian territory. AISF “is constantly committed to ensuring its presence in the main national and international events in the sector, in order to give patients a voice within the scientific community and institutions. He is a member of ENFA (European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations). The institutional activities carried out by the Association are the AISF National Congress and the Members’ Assembly, which are held concurrently every year”.
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