The Fibromyalgia Care Society of America (FCSA) launches the 3rd annual Caterpillar Run, taking place Saturday, May 11th at 9 a.m. at Branch Brook Park (Ballantine Gate Entrance). The event is billed as a fun morning for the entire family, and will also feature a warm-up session by Ze Pierce and Chino Ramos Jr. of Be the Possible. Mesha Monique, Fibro Youth Advocate and resident of Newark, NJ will speak about life with fibromyalgia as a young person and student.
The Caterpillar Walk is a fundraising campaign designed to raise awareness and support for people living with fibromyalgia. It is taking place in May, which is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Month and serves to unite communities from across the country to help bring attention to this condition. In conjunction with the New Jersey Run, the FCSA is hosting an online iCaterpillar walk to include participants from around the world in addition to local participants who are unable to physically attend. There is also a 1 mile Caterpillar Walk at Huson River Park-Pier 60 on May 4th.
“Unexplained and chronic pain, fatigue, cognitive impairment and a host of other symptoms are most commonly associated with fibromyalgia,” said Mildred Velez, FCSA’s Founder and Board President.
“Fun is not usually associated with this condition. Our hope with this event is to raise much- needed awareness while also having fun so we can decrease fear and stigma around fibromyalgia, and also so that we can reach a broader audience for important conversations.”
These efforts will improve the quality of life for people living with fibromyalgia by increasing the awareness of this chronic pain disorder among the public, media, government, and medical community.
To register for the event, visit firstgiving.com/fibro.
About fibromyalgia and the Fibromyalgia Care Society of America, Inc.:
An estimated 7+ million people in the United States suffer from fibromyalgia, and thousands more are diagnosed each year. One of the most significant challenges of this syndrome is the lack of awareness and support services available for those with fibromyalgia and for their families.
Founded in 2015, the Fibromyalgia Care Society of America (FCSA) is devoted to revolutionizing how fibromyalgia is cared for in this country by introducing a comprehensive, holistic approach to care, family support, and support groups. The organization was founded by Mildred Velez, who has been living with fibromyalgia since 2007, in response to the lack of direct services for those living with fibromyalgia and to the shortage of dedicated medical care and support.
Mildred, along with a dedicated board of trustees, has developed a concise and direct approach to helping those living with fibromyalgia and their families.
The syndrome, which is often misdiagnosed or stigmatized, causes generalized pain, fatigue and a host of symptoms that often are ignored by medical providers. As a result of misdiagnosis and of poor understanding by the medical community, people suffering from fibromyalgia often feel isolated and misunderstood -- many resort to self-medication, drug use, and tragically even suicide due to lack of proper care.
The FCSA is seeking to change that by introducing a multidisciplinary Center of Excellence Program. The FCSA Fibromyalgia Center of Excellence will be dedicated entirely to helping those affected by fibromyalgia, with access to holistic treatments and support services.
For more information visit www.fibro.org or contact Mildred Velez at 973.991.5834