The Rheumatologist
  • Connect with us:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Feed
  • Home
  • Conditions
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • SLE (Lupus)
    • Crystal Arthritis
    • Spondyloarthritis
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Soft Tissue Pain
    • Scleroderma
    • Vasculitis
    • Systemic Inflammatory Syndromes
    • Guidelines
  • Drug Updates
    • Biologics & Biosimilars
    • DMARDs & Immunosuppressives
    • Topical Drugs
    • Analgesics
    • Safety
    • Pharma Co. News
  • Professional Topics
    • Ethics
    • Legal
    • Legislation & Advocacy
    • Career Development
      • Certification
      • Education & Training
    • Awards
    • Profiles
    • President’s Perspective
    • Rheuminations
  • Practice Management
    • Billing/Coding
    • Quality Assurance/Improvement
    • Workforce
    • Facility
    • Patient Perspective
  • Technology
    • Electronic Health Records
    • Apps
    • Information Technology
  • Resources
    • Issue Archives
    • Events
    • Multimedia
      • Audio
      • Video
    • From the College
    • American College of Rheumatology
    • Rheumatology Research Foundation
    • Arthritis & Rheumatology
    • Arthritis Care & Research
    • Treatment Guidelines
    • Research Reviews
    • Annual Meeting
      • Abstracts
      • Meeting Reports
    • Rheumatology Image Bank
  • About Us
    • Mission/Vision
    • Meet the Authors
    • Meet the Editors
    • Contribute to The Rheumatologist
    • Subscription
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Search
You are here: Home / Articles / Hundreds of Diseases. One Voice.

Hundreds of Diseases. One Voice.

August 5, 2017 • By Carina Stanton

  • Tweet
  • Email
Print-Friendly Version / Save PDF

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and rheumatoid arthritis patient Terry Bradshaw will serve as the ACR’s official spokesperson for Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month in September.

Continually building awareness and understanding of rheumatic diseases is critical to both our profession and patient care, according to Kelly Weselman, MD, a rheumatologist in Smyrna, Ga., and a passionate advocate involved in planning the ACR’s annual Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month (RDAM).

You Might Also Like
  • The ACR Gears Up for Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month in September
  • The ACR & Simple Tasks Announce First-Ever Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month
  • Arthritis Awareness Month: 5 Ways to Get Involved
Also by this Author
  • Lyme Arthritis Treatment Protocols Critical as Lyme Disease Spreads

“Unlike cancer patients, whose disease is well known, patients battling a rheumatic disease encounter unique challenges related to educating family and friends and, in some cases, even employers, insurance companies, physicians and others who [may] be less familiar with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout and the 100+ lesser-known rheumatic diseases that fall under the umbrella term of arthritis,” Dr. Weselman says. “Highlighting these rheumatic diseases as a group serves to increase public awareness, which we hope can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment that can directly impact and ideally lessen a patient’s manifestation and severity of a rheumatic disease.”

September 2017 marks the second-annual RDAM. Sponsored by ACR and Simple Tasks (the ACR’s public awareness campaign), the ultimate aim for RDAM 2017 is to increase public understanding and awareness of the symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, personal and economic impact, and lifestyle and healthcare challenges associated with rheumatic diseases.

Terry Bradshaw prepares to shoot a public service announcement for Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month at his ranch in Thackerville, Okla.

Join the Conversation
With the theme, Hundreds of Diseases. One Voice., RDAM 2017 brings together providers, patients and other rheumatic disease advocates to speak with one voice to improve the public’s understanding of rheumatic diseases, and advance the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans living with rheumatic diseases. “This voice is only as strong as each provider talking to their patients about RDAM and each patient with a rheumatic disease spreading awareness of rheumatic diseases within their community,” Dr. Weselman says.

Terry Bradshaw, surrounded by members of the ACR communications team, John Schmidt (left), Erin Schmidt and Joan Roth.

All concerned individuals and organizations, including rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals, patients, patient organizations, medical professional groups, lawmakers, members of the media, and friends and family members of those affected by rheumatic diseases are encouraged to participate in RDAM 2017.

NFL Hall of Famer Speaks Out
One well-known person who plays an important role in RDAM 2017 is sports commentator and former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Mr. Bradshaw lives with rheumatoid arthritis and is speaking out to educate the public with the message, “You don’t have to be an athlete to have sore joints!” Mr. Bradshaw’s message helps call out the common misconception that arthritis is merely the aches and pains of getting older, Dr. Weselman explains. Through a series of public service announcements that are being aired nationally and online throughout the month of September, Mr. Bradshaw also discusses the connection between arthritis and injury, and the importance of seeking early intervention and treatment from a rheumatologist.

Pages: 1 2 Single Page

Filed Under: Legislation & Advocacy, Professional Topics Tagged With: Hundreds of Diseases, One Voice, Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month (RDAM), Simple Tasks, Terry Bradshaw

You Might Also Like:
  • The ACR Gears Up for Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month in September
  • The ACR & Simple Tasks Announce First-Ever Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month
  • Arthritis Awareness Month: 5 Ways to Get Involved
  • Let Your Voice Be Heard

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

American College of Rheumatology

Visit the official website for the American College of Rheumatology.

Visit the ACR »

ACR/ARP Annual Meeting

Don’t miss rheumatology’s premier scientific meeting for anyone involved in research or the delivery of rheumatologic care or services.

Visit the ACR Annual Meeting site »

Simple Tasks

Learn more about the ACR’s public awareness campaign and how you can get involved. Help increase visibility of rheumatic diseases and decrease the number of people left untreated.

Visit the Simple Tasks site »

The Rheumatologist newsmagazine reports on issues and trends in the management and treatment of rheumatic diseases. The Rheumatologist reaches 11,500 rheumatologists, internists, orthopedic surgeons, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who practice, research, or teach in the field of rheumatology.

About Us / Contact Us / Advertise / Privacy Policy

  • Connect with us:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Feed

Copyright © 2006–2019 American College of Rheumatology. All rights reserved.

ISSN 1931-3268 (print)
ISSN 1931-3209 (online)

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
This site uses cookies: Find out more.