10 Years of Fibromyalgia History

National Fibromyalgia Association Celebrates 10th anniversary with Actress A.J. Langer on Cover of Newest Issue of Fibromyalgia AWARE

Anaheim, CA - September 18, 2007

The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) today released the newest issue of Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine, featuring a special anniversary section on "10 Years of Fibromyalgia History," chronicling the state of fibromyalgia in the U.S., and the role of the NFA in raising awareness in the patient and medical communities.

"Over the past 10 years, we have had to stay the course, no matter what, to prove that fibromyalgia is a real disease, just like other diseases that were once misunderstood - like lupus, migraine and Parkinson's," said Lynne Matallana, who founded the National Fibromyalgia Association in 1997 while bedridden with the chronic pain illness. "Today, the debate of whether or not fibromyalgia is real is becoming less and less the focus, as attention shifts to supporting the scientific advances that will eventually find a cure for fibromyalgia!"

Featured on the cover of Volume 14 is A.J. Langer, the film and television actress who was the magazine's first cover model when it debuted in May 2002. Langer has been acting since she was 15, and has starred in the acclaimed series "My So Called Life" and "Three Sisters," to name a few. In "A New Role, A New Life," Langer talks about her current and "most important role" as wife and new mother.

Regarding her pregnancy and the ordeal of childbirth, Langer tells AWARE Executive Editor, Elisabeth Deffner, "Through my most intense pain... was born an absolutely perfect, healthy, beautiful little baby. I would make the same choice again - even though the pain of that final hour blew my mind!"

A related article on fibromyalgia and pregnancy, "What To Expect When You're Expecting - with FM," is also included in this issue.

Other featured stories in Volume 14:

• Fibromyalgia and Eyesight
• What is Your Functional IQ?
• At Long Last, Lyrica: FDA Approves First FM Medication
• Anxiety Disorders and Fibromyalgia
• Vibrational Therapy
• Medication Update
• 10 Things You Should Never Say to a Fibromyalgia Patient

Fibromyalgia AWARE is the first and only consumer magazine providing the latest comprehensive news, research on, and resources for lifestyle and self-management issues of interest to patients with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain illnesses.

Three issues of Fibromyalgia AWARE are a gift to those who make a tax-deductible donation of $35 or more ($45 Canada ; $60 Overseas) to the National Fibromyalgia Association.

To receive the latest issue of Fibromyalgia AWARE , call the National Fibromyalgia Association at 714-921-0150 or visit their website www.fmaware.org.

The National Fibromyalgia Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia by increasing the awareness of the public, media, government and medical communities.

Contacts

For Media:
Access Media Group
Corin Walson (714) 921-8850
Email: cwalson@walsonpr.com

National Fibromyalgia Association
Elisabeth Deffner (714) 921-0150
Email: edeffner@fmaware.org