Freedom from Arthritis: Pledge people in UAE on the occasion of World Arthritis Day

The Emirates Arthritis Foundation joined hands with AbbVie and renowned rheumatologists to create awareness on arthritis and encourage people to fight it.

• Renowned rheumatologists conducted discussion sessions on the causes, symptoms, treatment, importance of nutrition and lifestyle management
• The event saw participation from more than 100 attendees, consisting of patients, caregivers, doctors, support groups and people in general
• Abbvie launched the Button-Up for rheumatoid arthritis campaign through a button which  is a great symbol  to resemble the complications of using the hand when diagnosed with RA. Abbvie is helping create awareness on Rheumatoid Arthritis by pledging people to sewing the RA button on their shirts.
  Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 15, 2013:  Emirates Arthritis Foundation, the first Musculoskeletal charity foundation to be established in the Middle East, in association with AbbVie, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in providing treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, to conduct Freedom from Arthritis day on October 12th, 2013. The day-long event consisting of discussion sessions, nutrition sessions, lifestyle workshops, celebrity stories and merchandise sale saw active participation from more than 100 patients, doctors, caregivers, support group members and general public. The day witnessed the launch of the Button-Up for rheumatoid arthritis campaign by AbbVie Through a button which  is a great symbol  to resemble the complications of using the hand when diagnosed with RA. Abbvie is helping   create awareness on Rheumatoid Arthritis by pledging people to sewing the RA button on their shirts.

The event also saw a celebrity testimonial gallery with stories of famous people from around the world who have arthritis and how they have coped up with it.  A freedom wall was built by the attendees through adding photographs along with a button-up pin.

“We often notice that patients are overpowered by their disease, due to low awareness on how best to manage their complications and lack of guidance from people around them. They do not realize that through proper disease management plan they would be able to control their disease. This event is a part of our efforts to address this issue and support them in their fight against the disease,” says Dr. Humeira Badsha- Consulting Rheumatologist and Founding Member of Emirates Arthritis Foundation. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease in which the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness. Over time, RA can worsen making even simple everyday tasks like closing a button very difficult.

“Button-Up for Rheumatoid Arthritis campaign aims to encourage people to detect the early symptoms and seek help from rheumatologists at an early stage so that further joint damage can be avoided. This is in response to our recently conducted survey by Abbvie called RA-Join the Fight which revealed that patients in UAE live with the disease for more than one year before they seek accurate diagnosis,” says Bassel Amer- Regional General Manager at AbbVie Gulf and Egypt.
The awareness day witnessed a fashion show where a designer from India, Ekta Singh has donated a number of designer clothes for the cause. The designs were modeled by real life patients and professionals and the audience could instantly connect with the concepts.

About AbbVie:AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott. AbbVie combines the focus and passion of a leading-edge biotech with the expertise and structure of a long-established pharmaceutical leader. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie aims to help patients live healthier lives and collaborate on sustainable healthcare solutions. In 2013, AbbVie will employ approximately 28,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com. Follow @AbbVienews on Twitter.
About Emirates Arthritis Foundation:The Emirates Arthritis foundation is a non-profit organization that strives to raise awareness by educating the public, patients and health professionals on all aspects of arthritis. Launched under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2005, the organization was the brain child of Dr Humeira Badsha and Suzanne Al Houby to give less fortunate patients in the UAE an access to better healthcare. The organization has a dedicated team, who develop events for people who suffer with arthritis, their families and supporters and the general public of UAE.  The purpose of these events is to raise awareness about arthritis and help educate those who suffer from the condition to learn about their disease and learn how to take control of their lives.