American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association

Mission The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association (AFSA) has two missions: fund superior quality biomedical research on fibromyalgia educate patients about this serious, life-impacting disease We are an all-volunteer 501(c)3 charity and have been assisting people with fibromyalgia since 1994. Research AFSA is the nation’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research that accelerates the pace of medical discoveries on fibromyalgia. We don’t just say we support research; we have been funding high-quality studies on this disease since 1995. Our research grants (up to $85,000) enable scientists to collect the vital data needed to receive large sums of money from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other agencies. In addition, most AFSA awards have generated at least one research paper in a peer-reviewed medical journal. So, funding from AFSA accomplishes two goals: (1) expands research in targeted areas important for helping patients and (2) educating other scientists and treating physicians about advances in fibromyalgia. By stepping up research on the causes of and treatments for fibromyalgia, AFSA and its generous contributors are working together to make a difference in the lives of millions. Education The average person with fibromyalgia struggles with this disease for five years before being diagnosed with it. And once patients are handed this diagnosis, they are often told that there is little that can be done to relieve their painful and fatiguing symptoms. Not true. A variety of treatment options are available to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Learning about each approach, including its pros and cons, places patients in the driver’s seat to open a dialog with their healthcare team. Some therapies are expensive, while the scientific evidence supporting others is flimsy. The point is, patients deserve to know what the medical literature says about the various treatment options for fibromyalgia. Part of the battle of living with fibromyalgia is that it produces so many symptoms. Reading about research studies that help explain the symptoms can be both validating and relieving to patients. The same holds true for reading about the possible causes of fibromyalgia, especially when it is based on published research studies and interviews with the lead investigators. AFSA’s education mission is not to replace a patient’s doctor or other healthcare providers; that’s not possible. Fibromyalgia patients need to consult with their medical team for care. But in an era of the ten-minute office visit, the information on AFSA’s website can empower patients to make the most out of their healthcare appointments.