In Honor of National Women's Health Week, AARDA Launches "TEXT MY CURE" Mobile Fundraising Campaign in Support of Autoimmune Disease Research and Awareness

     In honor of National Women's Health Week, May 9-15, 2010, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) has launched a mobile giving campaign titled "TEXT MY CURE." The campaign will feature YouTube videos of patients telling their stories of autoimmune diseases and will be headlined by the AARDA National Spokesperson, actress Kellie Martin ("ER" and "Life Goes On"). The funds raised by the campaign will be used to increase awareness of autoimmune diseases by physicians and patients, fund research in autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases, and provide patient education and services.

     To give $5 in support of this campaign, simply use your cell phone to text the keyword, "A-A-R-D-A" to the short code "20222". Almost immediately after sending your text, you will receive a text asking you to reply "YES." Once you've done that you will have done your part to support the campaign without having to use your credit card or a checkbook.

     National Women's Health Week is a time designated for women to make their health a top priority. AARDA has long made this a cornerstone of its mission in educating women on the importance of being their own best advocates when it comes to their health and wellness. Affecting women 75 percent more often than men, autoimmune diseases are commonly misdiagnosed or missed altogether by physicians. "Too often women spend years looking for answers, finding none, and are left feeling let down by the medical establishment," says AARDA President and Executive Director Virginia T. Ladd. According to a study by AARDA, on average women spend four years seeking a diagnosis, they visit more than four physicians during that time frame; and rather than finding answers, 44.6 percent of respondents were told by physicians that they were chronic complainers, or too concerned with their health.

     National Women's Health Week is intended to empower women - to inspire them to make a change for their future health. According to Ladd, "TEXT MY CURE" is a mantra for autoimmune disease patients. It says to them, "I can make a difference in my life and the lives of others by ensuring that more doctors are educated in the areas of autoimmune diseases. I can ensure that more patients are empowered through knowledge and information to keep seeking a cure even when the doctors tell them it's all in their head. I can help to ensure that research is done today that will lay the foundation for tomorrow's new therapies and treatments."

For more information on women and autoimmune diseases:  http://www.aarda.org/women_and_autoimmunity.php.

To see the videos of autoimmune disease patients sharing their stories: http://www.youtube.com/aardatube

For information on National Women's Health Week: http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/