August news
In advance of Pain Awareness Month, we are launching a survey on barriers to effective pain management. The survey will take 15-20 minutes to complete; the deadline is Aug. 12. Thanks to a collaboration with this year's sponsor, Sunbeam®, we will be raffling off 250 heating pads to individuals who complete the survey. (The raffle is optional and random. Your answers will not impact your chances of winning.)
Pain Awareness Month 2020 sneak preview
Pain Awareness Month starts Sept. 1! Check out this year's campaign in collaboration with Sunbeam®. Read more.
Local support groups transitioning to Zoom
Six local support groups have transitioned to Zoom for the foreseeable future--with more on the way. Read more.
CDC outlines process for updating 2016 guidelines
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) has announced members of an advisory group and an opportunity to be one of 100 stakeholders interviewed. Read more.
TONIGHT: Learn about aromatherapy
Pain Connection's next “Building Your Toolbox" event is tonight at 7:30 pm ET. The interactive meeting will focus on aromatherapy. Read more.
U.S. Pain joins CBD coalition
The U.S. Pain Foundation has been participating in the Collaborative for CBD Science & Safety. Read more.
Your advocacy made a difference!
Congress has included appropriations language about the Pain Management Best Practices report. Read more.
Pain Warrior of the Month: Kimberly Freitas
Age: 51 years old
Location: Tewksbury, MA
Pain warrior role: Ambassador/advocate since 2016
Health conditions: Crohn's disease, degenerate disc disease, osteoarthritis, severe muscle spasms, multi-leveled spondylosis, over-active bladder, bipolar I & II, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD.
Tip for pain warriors: "Keep moving; exercise, stretch, walk the dog, walk the block, or just walk to the mailbox, as long as you just keep moving."
Fun fact: "The first time I saw snow was when I was 36 years old. I was so excited, I filled my pick up truck with driveway snow when I saw it."

Over the past four years, Kim has become an active advocate for the U.S. Pain Foundation. She has attended a chronic pain support group training and promptly started a support group in her home state of Massachusetts. Kim also attended the Virtual Advocacy Training in June. She has put her heart into helping herself and others live fulfilling lives with chronic pain. Kim notes that becoming an advocate gave her what she needed to find herself; the determined, hard-working, motivated self that could look in the mirror and say, "I am somebody---not just somebody in pain.” Thank you for all you do, Kim!
Educational events
Support groups

Pain Connection Live conference calls (open to all):

  • Thursday, Aug. 6 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm ET
  • Thursday, Aug. 13 from 7 to 8 pm ET (time change)
  • Thursday, Aug. 20 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm ET
  • Thursday, Aug. 27 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm ET
  • Saturday, Aug. 29 from 11 am to noon ET
Location-based support groups meeting over Zoom (open to residents of that respective state or geographic area):

  • Arizona – Aug. 5 at 11 am
  • Maine – Aug. 6 at 6 pm
  • Rockville, MD – Aug. 10 at 1 pm
  • Boston, MA – Aug. 14 at 11 am
  • Portland, OR – Aug. 18 at 6 pm and Sept. 1 at 12 pm
  • North & South Carolina – Aug. 25 at 5 pm
Pediatric events
Access to these events is available by signing up for the Pediatric Pain Warriors Virtual Retreat.

  • Aug. 5: Teen Talk (every Wednesday at 7 pm ET) and Minecraft Party (every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 6 pm ET)
  • Aug. 6: "What you need to know about over-the-counter medications" webinar at 7 pm ET
  • Aug. 7: Mom's Night In (every Friday at 8 pm ET)
  • Aug. 9: Dads' Cave (every other Sunday at 7 pm ET)
  • Aug. 10: Q & A with Motion Composites at 7 pm ET
  • Aug. 13: Kid's Corner (every other Thursday at 7 pm ET)
  • Aug. 18: Kid's Paint Night at 4 pm ET
  • Aug. 20: Bands and Braids webinar at 7 pm ET
  • Aug. 23: Kids Talent Show at 6 pm ET
  • Aug. 29: Family Trivia Night at 7 pm ET
New resources
U.S. Pain in the news
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.
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