Some Tears, and Then One Shining Hope
By Shannon Young
When the diagnosis came, I shed many tears. As I lay in bed that night, I cried because of the uncertainty. I cried because I knew that my risk of heart disease had just doubled, my risk of cancer was increased, and I knew that one of the leading causes of disability is arthritis (the most commonly known term for Rheumatoid Disease). I cried because I had learned that this disease is not something that affects only the joints, but that it is a systemic disease process, often treated with medications (including forms of chemotherapy) that wreak their own form of havoc on the body. I cried because I could not imagine living the rest of my life in the amount of pain I was in. And I cried because there is currently no cure and I have two daughters who I pray never develop it.
The one shining hope that I have clung to in the year and a half since I was diagnosed with this “invisible disease” is the amazing rheumatoid patient community – this community has been formally brought together by the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation. RPF is the ONLY organization devoted SOLELY to the concerns of patients with Rheumatoid Disease.
On this #GivingTuesday, would you please consider a donation to the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation? Click here to contribute. In case you need convincing, here are some reasons your support is important to patients:
• The RPF is the only charity just for Rheumatoid Disease.
• RPF is a non-profit organization by patients, for patients.
• Our vision is a world where no one suffers from rheumatoid disease: help our vision become a reality.
• RPF works with patients, doctors and industry to address patients' needs and create pathways to better care
• We support patient-driven research.
Click here to become a Member - add your voice -- together, we can do more!
If you’re not convinced yet, do some research at http://www.rheum4us.org/ and then imagine what you might feel if the doctor said to your loved one: “It’s rheumatoid disease.” Thank you for considering to support us in the fight.