Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About myRAteam
Powered By

5 Ways To Get Involved With Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness

Posted on May 02, 2022
View reactions
Article written by
Torrey Kim

If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you’re already aware of the impact the condition can have on your life — but chances are strong that other people in your orbit don’t know as much as they could about the disease. That’s why it’s important to raise awareness for the condition — particularly in May, which is Arthritis Awareness Month.

It can be hard when your friends and family don’t know what you’re going through. It can also feel difficult to say no to loved ones who don’t understand your situation because you might worry about how your relationships will be affected.

Raising awareness about RA is important so your friends, family, and acquaintances can better understand how to support you. Check out five ways that you can get involved with RA awareness.

1. Start by Raising Your Own Awareness

Before you can create public awareness by sharing information with others, it’s a good idea to understand the specifics of RA. Learn more about RA’s causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments.

RA is an inflammatory autoimmune condition. The immune system mistakenly attacks the joints (usually the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, ankles, and knees) in the same way that it would normally fight viruses or bacteria. With RA, the damage is typically symmetrical — for example, both knees or both ankles are usually affected.

RA is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis, affecting more than 1.3 million people in the United States. RA affects women about three times as often as men, according to the Arthritis Foundation, and it typically develops between the ages of 30 and 60.

Treatment of RA is typically aimed at modulating the immune system to calm inflammation, reduce autoimmune attacks on the joints, and ease symptoms (such as pain and swelling) while avoiding side effects. Some RA treatment options are taken orally and others are administered by injection.

2. Share Awareness Resources

After you’re armed with information about RA, you can share it with others. The fastest and least expensive way for this kind of advocacy is through social media. You can post information about RA, share details about the condition, and join communities of other people who are also working to raise awareness about RA.

You can follow the Arthritis Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

3. Use Relevant Social Media Hashtags

To ensure your messages on social media spread awareness to as many people as possible, consider using an appropriate RA-related hashtag, like #RheumatoidArthritis, #ArthritisAwareness, #RAWarrior, or #ArthritisAwarenessMonth. This way, your posts will be seen by more people who have the same interests, and they’re more likely to share and comment.

Social media posts help raise awareness for the condition, and posting also allows other people with RA to realize they aren’t alone. Joining a RA community on social media, such as myRAteam, can also help you connect with others.

“Seems we need much more awareness and research dollars,” one myRAteam member wrote. Another said, “Raise awareness, warriors, and may everyone have a pain-free day!”

4. Participate in Awareness Activities

Another way to raise awareness about RA is to participate in an activity dedicated to the cause. You can walk or run for RA, play bingo, host a silent auction or fundraiser, or even create a unique event that works for your interests. You can help other people understand more about RA while having fun and working to raise funds for the cause.

5. Donate to Research

If you are able to, you can also donate to the Arthritis Foundation to support RA research and advocacy.

Even if you aren’t able to donate, you can stay on top of the scientific research and legislative actions that come out of the donation efforts by following the Arthritis Foundation online.

Connect With Others Who Understand

On myRAteam, more than 186,000 people living with rheumatoid arthritis come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with the condition.

Share your rheumatoid arthritis journey in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.

Posted on May 02, 2022
View reactions
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.
Torrey Kim is a freelance writer with MyHealthTeam. Learn more about her here.

Related articles

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis are eager for tips to help manage fatigue, one of the most ...

5 Ways To Manage RA Fatigue: myRAteam Members Weigh In

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis are eager for tips to help manage fatigue, one of the most ...
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), socks can be an especially important part of you...

The Best Socks for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comfort and Support

If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), socks can be an especially important part of you...
There is a lot of information out there about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and drinking alcohol — an...

Alcohol and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Your Guide

There is a lot of information out there about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and drinking alcohol — an...
Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experiment with dietary interventions like following t...

7 Foods To Avoid When on Biologics

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experiment with dietary interventions like following t...
Ketogenic diets have grown in popularity, both among people wanting to lose excess body weight an...

The Ketogenic Diet and Rheumatoid Arthritis: 5 Things to Know

Ketogenic diets have grown in popularity, both among people wanting to lose excess body weight an...
Discover what those with rheumatoid arthritis shouldn't eat and why. Click here for tips on avoid...

11 Foods and Drinks To Avoid With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Discover what those with rheumatoid arthritis shouldn't eat and why. Click here for tips on avoid...

Recent articles

In welcome news to many who are immunocompromised, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) re...

Next COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Approved

In welcome news to many who are immunocompromised, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) re...
Understanding how different drugs affect your body weight can help prevent surprises when startin...

Managing Weight Gain From RA Medications

Understanding how different drugs affect your body weight can help prevent surprises when startin...
Many myRAteam members report that taking methotrexate for their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has cau...

Can Methotrexate Change Your Hair Texture?

Many myRAteam members report that taking methotrexate for their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has cau...
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks th...

How To Avoid Dangerous Interactions With RA Medications

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks th...
Almost all myRAteam members have experienced a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) flare at some point. RA ...

How Long Do RA Flares Typically Last?

Almost all myRAteam members have experienced a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) flare at some point. RA ...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated boosters for messenger RNA (mRNA...

New COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters for Omicron: What To Know if You Have RA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated boosters for messenger RNA (mRNA...
myRAteam My rheumatoid arthritis Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close