World Arthritis Day – 12 October

World Arthritis Day (WAD) is a global awareness-raising day. EULAR participates by promoting international activities for and on this day: It hosts the WAD website and each year designs activities that create understanding around life with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in Europe. Individuals and organisations everywhere are invited to take ideas presented on the WAD website and develop them into national-level actions.

World Arthritis Day 2017

In 2017, WAD is part of the ‘Don’t Delay, Connect Today!’ EULAR Campaign which, for the first time, engages all three EULAR pillars – patient organisations (PARE), health professional associations and scientific communities.

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) often receive delayed or no diagnosis.
Early diagnosis is key to preventing further damage, but RMDs often receive delayed or no diagnosis.This is often due to a lack of awareness, reducing peoples' quality of life and affecting physical abilities.

The EULAR Campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis in preventing further damage to those living with RMDs, and to encourage timely access to evidence-based treatment.

WAD Video 2017: Trailer

Eleven-year-old Aran Chuahan's passion is football - which he plays for charity, raising money for the Children's Chronic Arthritis Association (CCAA) in the UK. Aran himself has Juvenile Arthritis, but this does not stop him and his parents leading a full and happy life, without fear - thanks to early diagnosis and the access to the right care. Hear his story in the video:

The full WAD video will be launched on WAD, 12 October, 2017 - watch this space!