About World AS Day
Saturday 2 May
World AS Day is an annual day dedicated to people living with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
It is celebrated across the world on the first Saturday of May.
Our members and supporters organise activities around the world to raise awareness of axial spondyloarthritis and related conditions.
ASIF has 60 Patient Organisation Members from 45+ countries around the world.
Aim of World AS Day
World AS Day is dedicated to people living with axial spondyloarthritis.
AxSpA is a rheumatic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine
and sacroiliac joints, also called ‘Morbus Bechterew’ in some European
countries. It can lead to chronic pain, structural damage and disability.
Sharing information
Most people have not heard of axial spondyloarthritis. On World AS Day,
we encourage people to share information about the disease.
Raising awareness
AxSpA affects millions of people around the world.
World AS Day aims to raise the profile of this disease and increase
awareness of the impact it has on people’s lives, physically, mentally and
emotionally.
Connecting with each others, being together
On World AS Day, connect with others affected by axSpA. Join a virtual /
face-to-face event, go for a walk with a friend, react to people’s social
media posts or share your own stories with your community using
#WorldASDay2026.
This Year’s Theme:
Not Only Back Pain
Axial spondyloarthritis is often misunderstood as simple back pain,
but it is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect much more
than the spine. Alongside pain and stiffness, people living with axSpA
may experience fatigue, reduced mobility, and related conditions
such as uveitis affecting the eyes, inflammatory bowel disease affecting
the gut, or psoriasis affecting the skin and more. Many of these
symptoms are invisible, yet they have a real impact on everyday life.
Why This Theme Matters
AxSpA is complex and frequently missed. People often wait years for
a diagnosis. Recognising the full picture helps shorten this journey.
If symptoms last three months or more, it is important to speak to a
doctor. A conversation can lead to referrals, earlier investigation and
clarity. With timely diagnosis, the right treatment and support through
movement, therapy and lifestyle choices, quality of life improves.
Diagnosis and care matter.
Walk With Me: Seeing the Hidden Reality
Walking with someone living with axSpA means listening to their experiences and learning about the challenges that are not always visible.
Through shared stories, we can better understand the daily impact of axSpA beyond what can be seen. Each step reflects strength, adaptation and resilience.
This year we invite the world to "walk" with those affected, learn from lived experiences and understand that axSpA is not only back pain.
Symptoms to Know
AxSpA affects much more than the spine. Symptoms often build slowly and can be
confused with strain or routine aches. Knowing what to look for can support earlier
diagnosis.
Common symptoms include:
- Back pain lasting more than three months
- Morning stiffness that eases with movement
- Fatigue and disrupted sleep
- Pain in hips, buttocks, chest or heels
- Reduced mobility or difficulty bending
- Eye inflammation (uveitis)
- Gut issues linked with inflammatory bowel disease
- Psoriasis or skin changes
If these symptoms persist, particularly if you are under 40 years old, speak to a doctor. Early
investigation can make all the difference.
Find out more about common axSpA symptoms, associated conditions, and complete a Symptom Checker here.
Real Voices
Video Stories
Real experiences bring the invisible aspects of axSpA to life. Our Walk With Me stories follow individuals as they
share how axSpA and its related conditions affect their movement, routines, relationships and wellbeing.
We hope these stories help others recognise symptoms, feel less alone and understand the daily effort behind each
step.
Bhushan
India
Vibeke
Norway
Akash
United Kingdom
Geraldine
Philippines
Maranda and Jack
South Africa
Would you like to tell your story?
Your story can help others feel seen and understood.
By sharing your journey, you can help show the real impact of axSpA and why it is not only back pain.
Help show that axSpA is more than back pain by sharing how it affects your daily life.
Capture your experience in your own words in a short video and share what living with axSpA really means to you.
Share your video on social media and/or send it to us and we will share it for you! Send videos to: contact@asif.info.
Lace Up for axSpA
Small acts that spark big change
Tying shoelaces is a simple task for many, but for someone living with axSpA, bending,
reaching and twisting can be difficult. This year, we invite everyone to take part in Lace Up
for axSpA by wearing orange laces and sharing a photo or video on social media.
Your post helps show the world that axSpA is more than back pain and encourages earlier diagnosis and better support for those affected.
Use #LaceUpForAxSpA and #WorldASDay2026 to join the movement.
Key Messages
It’s not only back pain - walk with me to see the full picture
AxSpA is an invisible inflammatory condition that affects much
more than the spine. It can involve the joints, eyes, gut, and
skin, often linked with other conditions such as inflammatory
bowel disease, uveitis, psoriasis and many more. Living with
axSpA can also lead to fatigue, chronic pain, and mental health
challenges. Recognising the signs early and getting the right
care can change lives.
Every step tells a story of strength
Living with axSpA involves managing its symptoms,
comorbidities and associated conditions. Walking with
someone with axSpA means recognising that the hardest parts
are often the ones you cannot see - many are invisible.
Keep moving
Staying active supports both physical and emotional wellbeing.
Regular movement and the right treatment help people with
axSpA manage symptoms and stay flexible, mobile, and
connected even when inflammation affects more than one
part of the body.
No one should walk this path alone
Support and understanding are vital. Talking about how axSpA
and its related conditions affect your life helps others
understand what living with them really means. Shared stories
connect people living with axSpA, their families, and
healthcare teams, replacing isolation with understanding.
Lace Up for axSpA: Small acts that spark big change
Lace Up for axSpA invites everyone to take a simple daily
action and turn it into a show of support. This year, tie your
orange laces and share your photo or video online to shine a
light on the fact that axSpA is more than just back pain. Each
post adds to a growing movement that drives awareness,
encourages earlier diagnosis and strengthens support for our
community.
Come together for better care and faster diagnosis
AxSpA is complex and often linked with other conditions,
which makes coordinated care essential. When people with
axSpA, healthcare professionals, and society come together,
we move toward earlier diagnosis, treatment, and a world that
truly understands the condition and its impact.
Global Events
Each year organisations and patients from all over the world take part in raising awareness for World AS Day in their local communities and online.
Follow our Social Media channels and visit this page to stay up to date with new events as they are confirmed.
Hosting an event? Share the details via the form and we will publish it here!
2026 Global Spondyloarthritis Summit
Online Event
Summit
by SAA
1-2 May
Walk Your AS Off
In Person Event
3 May
Resources
Each year the World AS Day logo uses different coloured dots to represent the theme. The orange gradient represents the many different aspects of living with axSpA – highlighting that it is not just back pain.
Please use these free downloadable materials to raise awareness. Many of the materials are editable, enabling you to translate them for use around the world.
Get Involved
Share Your Story
Help show that axSpA is more than back pain by sharing how it affects your daily life. We are especially looking for short video stories. Our toolkit includes simple guidance to help you create and share your video. Share them with us or on your socials and make sure to tag ASIF and use the #WorldASDay2026.
Lace-Up Challenge
Take a photo or video of you tying your shoelaces, use orange laces if you have them, or your regular laces if you don’t.
Share it on social media using #WorldASDay2026 and #LaceUpForAxSpA. Add something about your personal experience with axSpA – do you or a loved one have the condition?
Be Active on Social Media
Share our posts, react, duet or create your own content. Use #WorldASDay2026 to join the global conversation.
Connect with Your Local Organisation
Find out what your local patient group is planning, join an event or support their activities. Find your local patient organisation.
Join or Host an Event
Browse our list of events or host your own. Let us know through the online form and share your experience using our hashtags. Tell us about your event in the form in the events section above and share your experiences on social media – don’t forget to use #WorldASDay2026 and #LaceUpForAxSpA.
Use Our Resources
All campaign assets are free to download and share with your community.
2026 Global Spondyloarthritis Summit
Save the date for SAA’s 8th Annual Global Spondyloarthritis Summit, happening May 1–2, 2026!
This fully virtual two‑day event, designed for patients, clinicians, family members and support partners, explores this year’s theme—Living Well with SpA: Practical Approaches to Everyday Challenges.
Join leading experts for practical sessions on movement, workplace adaptations, aging with SpA, fatigue management, nutrition, mental health, integrative therapies, the latest research, and more. Mark your calendar and be part of this empowering global gathering!
Walk Your AS Off Is Back in 2026!
Find Your Happy Pace!
New this year, Walk Your AS Off Day - 3 May, 2026!
Join the SAA and Walk Ambassadors on Walk Your AS Off Day as we welcome walkers from around the globe via Zoom. Check in throughout the day (09:00-18:00 PDT) to meet fellow walkers, share stories, see old friends, and encourage your teammates to keep going for the cause. They say, “motion is lotion” and we can’t agree more! Prizes will be given throughout the event so drop in often and stay as long as you like!
To walk with us on 3 May and beyond:
- Sign into the SAA website and you will find a step counter waiting for you. It’s as easy as logging your steps.
- Join a team or create your own. The SAA Home Team is always looking for more walkers
- Recruit others to walk with you or on their own. The more the merrier!
- Set up a peer-to-peer fundraising page to share with your friends and family across your social media sites.
- Wear your WYASO shirt and share content on social media using hashtag #WalkYourASOff and #WYASO We’ll display posts and videos throughout the online event. Tell your network and help raise awareness about spondylitis.
You can use WYASO to raise funds for the SAA or your local patient organisation – find out more on our website or speak to your national group.
Find out more, sign up to log your steps and register for the 3 May “Zoom Party” today!
Get in Touch
If you have a question or want to share your plans, please email contact@asif.info
