Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSignificanceColorsAwareness DayAwareness OrganizationsPromotion
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Significance
Colors
Awareness Day
Awareness Organizations
Promotion
The use of ribbons and specific colors to raise awareness of a cause has become omnipresent over the past decade. While certain versions like the pink breast cancer ribbon or the red AIDS ribbon are easily identifiable, others are not as familiar.
In spite of the impact it has on millions of Americans, many people are not aware that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has its own distinct ribbon and set of colors. To add to this, this debilitating disease has many different organizations that work to raise awareness about the condition. In fact, it even has its own day of recognition. Read more about these important details in the sections below.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can impact many joints throughout the body. It causes a faulty immune response that attacks the healthy tissue surrounding a joint, which results in swelling, pain, and stiffness in these areas.
This joint damage can permanently alter the way your body moves and can significantly impact your ability to function throughout the day. In more severe cases, the disease can also cause damage to internal organs like the heart or lungs.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and More
It is estimated that over 1.5 million people in the United States have RA.In spite of this, there is still a lot that is unknown about the disease.
While there are specific risk factors that make a person more likely to develop RA, its exact cause is unknown. In addition, while many effective treatments can help manage the condition’s symptoms, doctors are not yet able to cure it. Because of this, raising awareness and fundraising for further research are incredibly important tasks.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Ribbon Colors
Verywell / Jessica Olah
The RA ribbon is actually made up of two colors, each with its own important symbolic meaning:
Prior to this, a two-toned purple and blue ribbon that represented both lupus and autoimmune diseases was used. Occasionally, a more generic blue ribbon signifying all types of arthritis was also displayed.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
With the increase in awareness associated with a yearly day of recognition, the group hoped to:
February 2 is also the day on which Groundhog Day is celebrated. RPF points out that an analogy can be drawn between the uncertainty of the groundhog’s forecast and the uncertainty that many people feel when they are first diagnosed with this disease.
In addition, this day of awareness is celebrated at the beginning of Heart Disease Awareness month. Celebrating at the beginning of February helps call attention to the potentially damaging cardiac side effects that RA can have in some individuals.
Other Times for Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness
In addition to Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day, there are several other times set aside to recognize people with this condition and raise overall awareness of the disease around the world:
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Organizations
Increasing worldwide understanding and awareness of RA is no small task. Fortunately, there are many groups dedicated to this worthy undertaking.
From grassroots local groups to national foundations, many unique organizations exist throughout the country. Here are some of the most well-known ones:
Ways to Promote Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness
Informing yourself about RA on some of the websites listed above and talking about the disease with your friends or loved ones is a great way to educate others. Most of the listed sites have news stories and features on the latest advances in research to help you stay informed.
In addition, you can:
A Word From Verywell
Receiving an RA diagnosis and navigating through the plethora of treatment options can be an overwhelming experience. Fortunately, you are not alone in your journey.
The indigo and gold RA ribbon is a symbol of the community of patients and loved ones who stand behind you during this potentially challenging journey. As each year passes, and awareness of the condition grows, the hope that someday a cure will be found becomes greater and greater.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: From Beginning Symptoms to Treatment
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network.Let’s dig into everything about RA.Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.What is rheumatoid arthritis?Rheumatoid Patient Foundation.The rheumatoid disease awareness ribbon.Rheumatoid Patient Foundation.Rheumatoid awareness day press release.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network.Let’s dig into everything about RA.Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.What is rheumatoid arthritis?Rheumatoid Patient Foundation.The rheumatoid disease awareness ribbon.Rheumatoid Patient Foundation.Rheumatoid awareness day press release.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network.Let’s dig into everything about RA.Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.What is rheumatoid arthritis?Rheumatoid Patient Foundation.The rheumatoid disease awareness ribbon.Rheumatoid Patient Foundation.Rheumatoid awareness day press release.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network.Let’s dig into everything about RA.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid Patient Foundation.The rheumatoid disease awareness ribbon.
Rheumatoid Patient Foundation.Rheumatoid awareness day press release.
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