Wow! What a World AS Day!
Awareness was raised with millions of people this World AS Day. ASIF’s social media posts reached 16.5 million people alone. We know our members, partners and individuals raised huge amounts of awareness online and at face-to-face events so the number of people who learnt about axSpA is much higher!
Thank you to everyone who raised awareness through World AS Day this year. The response to the theme ‘Lace up for axSpA’ was overwhelming! Both in the lead up to World AS Day, and on the day itself we saw so many social media posts in different languages from our members, rheumatology groups, including ASAS, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies and individuals.
In addition to reaching 16.5 million people through our posts, we received 45,000 post reactions (‘Likes’ etc) and had 70,000 clicks on our posts. Our videos were also watched in full 45,000 times! But that is only half the story! To gain a full global picture, please complete our Post-World AS Day survey and let us know your thoughts on the campaign. We will include your feedback and statistics in our post-World AS Day report to give a clearer picture of the impact of the campaign – and how we can improve it for next year!
Lace up for axSpA Challenge
Thank you to everyone who participated in ‘Lace up for axSpA’! It was fantastic to see so many videos and photos of people tying their laces on social media – what a great way to raise awareness!
We would like to give special thanks to Marco Garrido Cumbrera and CEADE for generously sharing their ‘shoelace’ concept with ASIF and our members.
Events
Patient organisations around the world held events for their members and for healthcare professionals. They included the Arthritis Care Foundation’s event in Pakistan, where attendees were invited to share experiences and engage with doctors and physiotherapists. The Axial Spondyloarthritis Association of the Philippines held a conference (pictured) featuring presentations by rheumatologists, including ASIF Board Member, Tuncay Duruöz.
The Axial Spondyloarthritis Association of South Africa hosted a webinar covering mental health, managing joint and muscle pain, biologics and more. Deutsche Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew e.V. Bundesverband in Germany held an in-person event involving a movement session and the opportunity to learn more about axSpA. Congratulations on the success of these events and many others.
The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show
If you missed Joel Nelson speaking with ASIF Trustee and psychologist, Nadia Malliou, about all things World AS Day and her experience of life with axSpA.
Alfasigma’s World AS Day Webinar
Employees at Alfasigma welcomed hearing about World AS Day, IMAS and Jo Davies’ personal journey of living with axSpA at their staff webinar.
Global Spondyloarthritis Summit
The presentations at the Summit were fantastic! If you missed them, you can watch them on demand by registering for the event below.
Walk Your AS Off
Joining Walk Your AS Off is a great way to motivate yourself to keep moving – something that we know is incredibly important when living with axSpA. It’s not too late to join this virtual event as it will continue throughout May and beyond.
You can find out more about Walk Your AS Off at the SAA’s website or contact Sean Ewert at sean.ewert@spondylitis.org.
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