Now, more than ever, it is important for people with pain need to support each other, uniting to bring awareness and understanding. Throughout September, U.S. Pain will be providing numerous opportunities for you to join us in making a positive change for pain warriors. Take a look at some of U.S. Pain’s upcoming activities and events so that you can help honor Pain Awareness Month. It’s never too late to get involved, and there’s something for everyone, no matter what your abilities or interests.

Below is just a glimpse of U.S. Pain’s Pain Awareness Month activities; full details can be found through the various links listed.

• Daily challenge. U.S. Pain has put together a series of daily tasks for its followers on social media. Many of the daily challenges encourage self-care activities, help give pain warriors opportunities to speak up, and celebrate life’s simple pleasures. The challenge will also feature special promos and giveaways from Quell, Buzzy, and VibraCool. To check out the challenge, follow U.S. Pain on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Partnership pain facts. U.S. Pain is uniting the pain community by partnering with 30 like-minded organizations to highlight a fact about pain each day during September. Keep an eye out for pain facts that resonate most with you or those you love by following U.S. Pain on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Twibbon. Show that you are united with pain warriors throughout the entire month of September by using our #PainWarriorsUnite graphic as your Twibbon or Facebook frame. Visit our www.uspainawarenessmonth.com home page for more information on how to update your social media profile images!
• Light up the Landmarks. More than 60 landmarks and buildings will be lit up blue on Sept. 9, or another designated date, in honor of Pain Awareness Month thanks to the efforts of U.S. Pain volunteers. Landmarks range from the Bank of America Plaza in Dallas, TX, to the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, NY. To find a landmark near you, click here. Check to see if there’s one in your area–if there is, help us out by taking a photo and submitting it to [email protected].
• Distribute our new infographic. Looking for a quick way to educate others about chronic pain? Print out our one-page infographic about the prevalence of pain, its impact, and challenges to quality care. Share it with loved ones, or bring it to your doctor! Download it here.
• Special events. U.S. Pain is hosting several online educational events this month. There will be two Facebook live events: one with The Mighty and U.S. Pain Interim CEO Nicole Hemmenway Sept. 5 at 2 pm EST and another, “Understanding chronic pain syndrome,” with pain psychologist and author Bruce Singer, PsyD, Sept. 12 at 7 pm EST, as well as two webinars: “Conquering the brain in pain” with pain specialist and author Peter Abaci, MD, Sept 18 at 1 pm EST, as part of U.S. Pain’s regular bimonthly webinar series; and “Patient empowerment in clinical trials” with Lindsey Wahlstrom-Edwards, of Antidote.me, Sept. 25 at 12 pm EST. U.S. Pain Foundation also will host tables Sept. 4-8 at PAINWeek in Las Vegas, Sept. 12-16 at the 17th World Congress on Pain in Boston, and Sept. 21-23 at the Abilities Expo in Boston.
• Local awareness events. Local awareness and fundraising events will be held by U.S. Pain staff and volunteers across the country, including in California, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and West Virginia; full details are available on the Pain Awareness Month events page.
• Blog launch. In honor of Pain Awareness Month, we’re launching our new blog, Remedy! Remedy features the information about promising treatments, tips and strategies for self-management, resources for coping with the emotional and social effects of pain, and unique perspectives from patients, clinicians, and caregivers. Check it out here.
• Op-eds. If you haven’t already done so, there’s still time to consider submitting an op-ed or letter to the editor about Pain Awareness Month! A written piece submitted to your local paper can be especially powerful when done in conjunction with a local landmark being lit up or celebrating the receipt of a proclamation. Resources and information can be found here.
• Beautify in Blue. Volunteers across the country are participating in Beautify in Blue, which decorates a public space with blue signage in honor of Pain Awareness Month. More information can be found here.
• INvisible Project: Staff edition. Did you know that all of U.S. Pain’s staff are people with pain or have a loved one who lives with pain? A special staff edition of the INvisible Project will highlight the stories of the individuals behind the organization. Keep an eye out on our social media pages or www.invisibleproject.org for more information!

“We’re incredibly grateful to all of our members, volunteers, and staff who have already put so much effort into making Pain Awareness Month a success,” says Nicole Hemmenway, Interim CEO of U.S. Pain. “Let’s make this the best year yet!”

This year’s campaign is sponsored by Pfizer and Eli Lilly. For more information about Pain Awareness Month, visit www.uspainawarenessmonth.org.