TIGARD, OREGON, October 27, 2014 –
Tami Stackelhouse of Tigard just returned from the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association’s Leaders Against Pain conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, from October 23-26, where she learned from leading experts skills to advocate on behalf of millions of people with chronic pain for faster diagnosis, better treatments, more research funding and ultimately a cure for these conditions. According to the Institute of Medicine’s congressionally mandated study, “Relieving Pain in America,” chronic pain affects an estimated one in four, or 110 million U.S. adults, which is more than the number affected by heart disease, diabetes, and cancer combined.
“It was an honor for me to be one of 29 people chosen from across the country to attend Leaders Against Pain.” said Stackelhouse. “After many years of searching, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2007. Thanks to proper medical treatment, my illness is under control. However, many Oregonians can’t get the treatment they need; Oregon is the only state in the U.S. that excludes Medicaid coverage of fibromyalgia. This is why I want to be a Leader Against Pain.” [1]
Stackelhouse will be reaching out to members of the local community and state to help her create the change people in pain have desperately needed. To contact Stackelhouse and to follow her work, please like the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association’s Oregon Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Network Facebook Page, or contact her directly.
Leaders Against Pain teaches skills that address leading an effective support group, creating fibromyalgia and chronic pain awareness events, and working with policymakers to improve access to healthcare and mobilizing the state on important state and national policies that affect chronic pain patients. Upon completion of the training, participants join the Leaders Against Pain Action Network, which is a national working group of individuals across the country partnering to be the voice for millions on critical issues. For more information on the program visit leadersagainstpain.net.
Dr. Lynn Webster, MD, conference speaker and immediate past President of the American Academy of Pain Medicine stated at the end of the conference, “We are just a seed. We cannot be it. We must disseminate the information learned here in our communities and create change together.”
About the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association
The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization headquartered in Logan, Utah. The NFMCPA’s mission is to build a united patient and medical community that will execute advocacy programs regarding access to care, scientific research, diagnosis and treatment for people suffering with fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Fibromyalgia is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects about 10 million Americans and can be disabling. Researchers believe it is a central nervous system disorder. For more information: FMCPaware.org.
1. For more information on the battle to have the Oregon Health Plan cover fibromyalgia, please read these blog posts:
- Get Fibromyalgia Covered by the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid), 9/28/2013
- Value-based Benefits Subcommittee Votes To Consider Moving Fibromyalgia Above Line, 10/17/2013
- Will Outlier Oregon Move Fibromyalgia ‘Above the Line’?, 1/6/2014
- Fibromyalgia Treatment Not Covered Under Oregon Health Plan, 3/13/2014
