Please wait, your files are being uploaded. It may take few moments.
About World AS Day
Saturday 6 May
World AS Day is an annual day dedicated to people with axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
It is celebrated across the world on the first Saturday of May. Our members and supporters organize activities around the world to raise awareness of axial Spondyloarthritis and related conditions.
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.
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.
Sharing information
Most people have not heard of axial Spondyloarthritis.
On World AS Day, we encourage people to share information about the disease.
Connecting with each other, 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 #WorldASDay2023.
World AS Day 2023 Theme
The theme of this year’s World AS Day is - Moving for axSpA
Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis of the sacroiliac joints and spine, and movement is as important as medication for those living with this condition. That's why the official theme for World AS Day 2023 is Moving for axSpA. Movement can improve both physical and mental well-being for those living with axSpA. It can help reduce stiffness and pain, improve sleep and increase energy levels. Whatever your ability – from gentle stretching to running a marathon – movement can help your axSpA. Find a physical activity you enjoy and which fits into your lifestyle. Even a few small steps each day can lead to an improvement in symptoms.
Global Digital Events
Together with patient organisations across the globe, ASIF will be hosting and sharing live streams and recordings of movement classes and events that can help you get going and keep moving!
Follow our Social Media channels to stay up to date and visit the site to keep up to date with new events that are being added to the list below.
Hosting an event? Contact us with all the details via this form and we will add it to the list for everyone to know and join!
Walker Wednesday
Online Event
Virtual talk
by Walk AS One
Weekly on Wednesdays, 2 pm ET
Walk Your A.S. Off is a community organization that holds “virtual” walk events. Virtual simply means we walk where we live and work without the need to attend any events. We walk not only for our health but to raise awareness of Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.). We track our daily steps and set large collective goals. Our walks bring people & teams together from all over the globe, showing that a small group of people can take great strides to change the world.
Each Wednesday at 14:00 ET, participants and those interested in finding out more, are invited to join the organisers to chat all things walk related.
Zoom link: bit.ly/3VEIukM
World AS Day - Cape Town
Event in person
Walk
by ASASA
6th May 2023 at 10:00 GMT+2
This event is a walk on World AS Day, 6 May 2023 that will take place in Cape Town, South Africa.
The event is centred around the central theme of World AS Day which is "Moving for axSpA". Patients and their support network/families are invited and we will also be inviting some media to the event.
For more information contact Suelita on +27 82 331 4609
World AS Day - Durban
Event in person
Walk
by ASASA
6th May 2023 at 10:00 GMT+2
This event is a walk on World AS Day, 6 May 2023 that will take place in Durban, South Africa.
The event is centred around the central theme of World AS Day which is "Moving for axSpA". Patients and their support network/families are invited and we will also be inviting some media to the event.
For more information contact Ishana +27 84 505 4438
World AS Day - Gauteng
Event in person
Walk
by ASASA
6th May 2023 at 10:00 GMT+2
This event is a walk on World AS Day, 6 May 2023 that will take place in Gauteng, South Africa.
The event is centred around the central theme of World AS Day which is "Moving for axSpA". Patients and their support network/families are invited and we will also be inviting some media to the event.
For more information please contact Annie +27 82 554 0755
World AS Day – Nicosia, Cyprus
Event in person
Sharing and moving forward by living well with axSpa
by Cyprus League of People with Rheumatism (CYLPER)
6th May 2023 at 16:00 GMT
This event will take place at CYLPER’s premises in Nicosia, Cyprus.
The aim of the event is to discuss how to live well with axSpA and take a positive approach to managing your disease. It is worth coming and sharing with us your concerns and your thoughts. After the discussion, we will focus on simple exercises Gyrokenis as part of the living well idea.
Invite your network and your families.
For more information, please contact at +357 22 428285
Key messages
Movement is as important as medication for those living with axSpA
- • Movement can improve both physical and mental wellbeing for those living with axSpA
- • It can help reduce stiffness and pain
- • It can help improve sleep and increase energy levels
- • It can help improve your mental health
Different types of movement can be helpful for those with axSpA
- • Movement comes in many forms and does not need to be a hardcore exercise
- • Finding something you enjoy makes exercising so much easier
- • Everyone is different and you need to find the physical activity that works best for you
- • Walking is a great form of movement for those living with axSpA and an excellent starting point for many
Getting moving is something everyone can do, whatever their ability
- • You don’t have to be an athlete to get moving
- • Do things at your own pace, but take care not to overdo it
- • If you want to do more, increase gently and build up the time or the intensity
- • Remember to stretch before and after your activity
Moving everyday will make a difference
- • Find a way to fit some movement into everyday
- • Even a few small steps each day can lead to giant leap in improvement of symptoms
- • Moving together with friends, family, local groups or neighbors can make it easier and fun
- • Adapt your regular movement if you have an axSpA flare up
- • Your local axSpA organisation may have online or face to face group activities that you can join
Resources
Following previous year’s campaigns, World AS Day 2023 uses the same dots style to support the campaign. This year the dots are a neon green color.
We encourage you to use these downloadable materials to raise awareness.
World AS Day 2023 logo
Toolkit
Website banners
Social Media Assets
Walk Your AS Off
Get Involved
Be part of World AS Day!
1. Raise awareness by sharing our social media posts, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Tiktok - remember to use #WorldASDay2023. Feel free to react and duet our content on Tiktok as well! We love to see how creative you can be.
2. Contact your local patient organisation to see what they are planning on World AS Day, get involved and join their events if possible.
3. Join a Global Digital Event - we have created a list of events that people and patient organisations are hosting across the whole world in person and online that you can join! Check out the list here.
4. Host your own event - get involved by organising your own event, share the details with us via this form (see more details in the Global Digital Events section of the website) to be added to the events list and don’t forget to let everyone know on social media using #WorldASDay2023.
5. Download our resources and share the campaign with your local community.
2023 Global Spondyloarthritis Summit
The Global Summit, hosted by the Spondyloarthritis Association of America (SAA), will be held virtually on 5-6 May. ASIF partners with the SAA on this patient-focused educational event. Under the theme “Moving Together Towards Better Health Outcomes” this year’s program features 12 experts from the international community who will discuss topics such as Flares and Possible Triggers; SpA Research Updates; Sleep Issues; Women & SpA; Diet & Nutrition; Surgery & Joint Replacement Recommendations; Cardiovascular Disease, and more! Take a look at the full list of planned topics.
The presentations will be available in English and Spanish, plus some other languages - which will be confirmed nearer the time.
We encourage our members to promote the Global Summit to their membership.
Walk Your AS Off
Walk Your AS Off is a virtual walk event that ASIF member organizations may join to encourage their constituents to get moving and raise awareness about axSpA. Walk Your AS Off takes place from 1-31 May. We know exercise benefits people living with axSpA and walking is a great way to keep moving.
Some of your members might choose other forms of movement as their primary form of exercise and that’s fine because steps happen while someone participates in any form of movement and steps can be converted from swimming, cycling, yoga or even gardening!
By joining and creating your virtual team your members may start logging steps at any time. Each Wednesday at 14:00 ET, participants and those interested in finding out more, are invited to join the organisers to chat all things walk related.
The Zoom link is: http://bit.ly/3VEIukM.
Download Walker Wednesday social media assets that you can share.
Get In Touch
If you have a question or want to share your plans, please get in touch by emailing communicationsmanager@asif.info