Dear pain warriors, We are delighted to launch our 2020 Pain Awareness Month campaign in collaboration with Sunbeam®, this year's presenting sponsor. (Read the press release here!) Our theme for 2020 is #MyPainPlan and will focus on the vital importance of an individualized, multidisciplinary, multimodal approach to pain care—as well as the barriers patients face in accessing this type of care. Below, we detail four important ways to get involved. We hope you will take an active part in the month's activities!

Sincerely,  Nicole Hemmenway CEO U.S. Pain Foundation

Build your "pain plan" and receive a free gift! While supplies last, everyone who creates a plan via MyPainPlan.org will receive a free heating pad from Sunbeam! Get started.

Explore our survey results In August, 1,581 of you responded to our survey on barriers to care. We are pleased to share a 19-page report on the results. Learn more.

Join special events, starting this Thursday Events kick off this Thursday with a presentation from Peter Abaci, MD, a renowned pain specialist and author. Register now.

Update your social profile! Use our themed social media frame to update your profile pics on Twitter & Facebook. Update now.

More ways to get involved >>

More news

Memorial scholarship established Read more

Pediatric Pain Warriors kick off My Marathon fundraiser Read more

TONIGHT: Learn about core strengthening! Read more

Pain Warrior of the Month: Mary Beth Lewis

Age: 51 years old Location: Dayton, OH Pain warrior role: Advocate and support group leader since 2017 Health conditions: Complex regional pain syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and osteoarthritis. Tip for pain warriors: "Finding a good support group has really helped my mental health. Whether it’s online with Pain Connection Live or in-person, feeling understood is very beneficial. Also looking at multiple ways to approach pain, such as meditation, physical therapy, and counseling is useful." Fun fact: "Since my husband’s in the Air Force, we have lived in five different states since getting married 26 years ago. Indiana, Virginia, Texas, Maryland, and Ohio have different cultures but all have welcoming people and allies."

Learn more about Mary Beth >>

Educational events

Register

Register

Register

Other events: Sept. 1: "Building Your Toolbox" interactive meeting (topic: core strengthening) at 7:30 pm ET. Sept. 24: “Equity in Access to Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management for People with Chronic Pain” a forum cohosted by the Alliance to Advance Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management and U.S. Pain Foundation from 11-3 pm ET. Ongoing! Registration for the Pediatric Pain Warriors Virtual Retreat, with weekly activities and events, is still open.

Support groups Pain Connection Live conference calls (open to all): Thursday, Sept. 3 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm ET Thursday, Sept. 10 from 7 to 8 pm ET Thursday, Sept. 17 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm ET Thursday, Sept. 24 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm ET Saturday, Sept. 26 from 11 am to noon ET

Pain Connection also offers location-based support groups that are currently meeting over Zoom. States with groups include: Arizona, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North and South Carolina, and Oregon.

Find a group  >>

New resources

COVID-19 page continues to be updated Blog post, "My silent wait" by Ellen Lenox Smith Blog post, "How my family helps me through my pain" by Brandy Garcia Webinar recording, "Pain care during COVID-19: A Q&A about telehealth" with Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD

U.S. Pain in the news

"Pain awareness month campaign highlights gaps in pain care" PR Newswire, Aug. 31. Highlights results of U.S. Pain's survey. "Sunbeam collaborates with U.S. Pain Foundation, brings attention to chronic pain for national pain awareness month" PR Newswire, Aug. 31. Highlights U.S. Pain's pain awareness month campaign. "The opioid crisis is not over neither is the pandemic: How pain patients are caught in the middle" Practical Pain Management, Aug. 12. An interview with U.S. Pain's Cindy Steinberg.

Your support

Allows us to continue advancing our mission to serve people with chronic pain. You can also support us by hosting a Facebook fundraiser or shopping with Amazon Smile.

Donate >>

Thank you to our 2020 Pain Awareness Month presenting sponsor:

Thanks also to our Corporate Council for supporting our efforts year-round.

STAY CONNECTED:

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