In this issue:
Apply now for upcoming support group training; scholarships available | Pediatric Pain Warrior retreat brings together more than 200 attendees | U.S. Pain submits letter to FDA | View the KNOWvember art slideshow and webinar recordings | Study reveals improvement needed for pain assessment I Encourage medical cannabis research at the federal level I and more.
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Pediatric Pain Warrior retreat brings together more than 200 attendees
U.S. Pain Foundation held its third Pediatric Pain Warrior retreat at the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee, IL.
Read more.
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Ambassador of the Year nominations now open
Now is your chance to nominate U.S. Pain volunteers for the prestigious, annual Ambassador of the Year Award
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Read more.
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View the KNOWvember art slideshow and webinar recordings
As part of U.S. Pain's "Art through Pain" KNOWvember campaign, pain warriors participated in creativity-themed webinars and submitted their artwork.
Read more.
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Apply now for upcoming support group training; scholarships available
Pain Connection, U.S. Pain Foundation's network of support groups, will hold a support group leader training Feb. 28-March 1 in San Diego, CA.
Read more.
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Want to encourage medical cannabis research at the federal level?
A new federal bill would expand research on cannabidiol (CBD) and marijuana-derived products, promoting a better understanding of their potential efficacy and safety.
Read more.
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Study reveals improvement needed in pain assessment
U.S. Pain Foundation was one of six patient advocacy groups to collaborate on a survey to understand the efficacy of current chronic pain assessment methods.
Read more.
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U.S. Pain submits letter to FDA
Read the letter U.S. Pain sent to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) about evaluating new opioids to treat pain and encouraging the development of safer medications.
Read more.
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Pain Warrior of the Month:
Elisa Friedlander
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Name: Elisa Friedlander
Location: Ashland, OR
Age: 52 years old
Pain warrior role: U.S. Pain advocate since 2017
Health conditions: Complex regional pain syndrome and degenerative disc disease
Favorite tip for others with chronic pain: "Check your expectations. Think in moments versus days or hours ("This is a tough moment" versus: "This is a hard day"). Be empowered by choice, even in the bleakest most painful moments...choose how you are going to respond."
What's a fun fact about you: "I am fluent in American Sign Language. In undergraduate school, I became intrigued with the beautiful language. When I was still learning, I wanted so badly to work with deaf kids that I pretended I knew how to sign, and landed a job at a residential school for deaf children! It was "sink or swim," so I learned quickly. It was a good fit for me since I'm naturally expressive and animated."
Elisa Friedlander has been an active advocate for chronic pain patients for years. Elisa was very active during the 2019 Pain Awareness Month campaign, securing both the state of Oregon and the city of Ashland Pain Awareness Month proclamations, submitting a video for the Storyathon, and hosting an information table. She attended a recent chronic pain support group training and has since begun her own support group in Ashland, OR. Last month, she attended the Advocacy Summit in Texas. Her positive attitude and perseverance not only make her an asset to the chronic pain community but a source of joy for those struggling in pain.
Thank you for all you do!
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Upcoming events
- Dec. 2: Support group (weekly on Mondays) - Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Tucson, AZ
- Dec. 3: Support group in Portland, OR
- Dec. 4: Support group in Tucson AZ
- Dec. 5: Support groups in Old Orchard Beach, ME, and in Pell City, AL; an afternoon Pain Connection Live call
- Dec. 7: Fight Gone Bad in Los Altos, CA
- Dec. 9: Support group in Rockville, MD
- Dec. 10: Support groups in Costa Mesa, CA, in Concord, NH, and in Detroit, MI
- Dec. 11: Support groups in Madison, WI, in Thousand Oaks, CA, in Ashland, OH, and in Bellingham, WA
- Dec. 12: Support group in Ashland, OR; and an evening Pain Connection Live call
- Dec. 13: Support groups in Oakhurst, NJ, in San Francisco, CA, in Arlington, MA, and in Ashland, OH
- Dec. 18: Support group in Sacramento, CA, and in Middletown, CT
- Dec. 19: Support group in Marion, IA; and a Morning Pain Connection Live call
- Dec. 23: Support group conference call in Madison, WI
- Dec. 26: Afternoon Pain Connection Live call
- Dec. 28: Saturday morning Pain Connection Live call
For full details about this month's events, including times and locations,
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