Fibromyalgia Center Celebrates 2nd Anniversary

FULLERTON, Calif. (May 27, 2009)—Approximately 100 people gathered May 9, 2009 at California State University, Fullerton to commemorate National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and to celebrate the second anniversary of the university’s Fibromyalgia Research and Education Center. The center, which opened in May 2007, is one of only a few of its type in the U.S.

“Fibromyalgia is one of the most prevalent causes of chronic pain,” says center director

From left: Phyllis Talarico, leader of the North Orange County Fibromyalgia Support Group; Jessie Jones, PhD, director of the Fibromyalgia Research and Education Center; and Dana Rutledge, RN, PhD, coordinator of research at the center.

Jessie Jones, PhD, who was diagnosed with the disorder in 1998. “We have opened the center to bring researchers and educators throughout the campus and community together to better address the causes, treatment and management of fibromyalgia.”

Since opening, the center has conducted a number of research studies, provided training for students and professionals, and worked to raise awareness of FM and its effects on patients and the people around them. The National Fibromyalgia Association, located less than 10 miles away from the campus, has collaborated with the center on several of these efforts, including the development and implementation of an innovative Web-based training program for healthcare providers on the assessment and management of FM and overlapping conditions. Referred to as the FAME (Fibromyalgia Assessment, Management and Education) Project, the program is designed to increase the number of trained healthcare providers available to treat and care for person with fibromyalgia.

Other joint efforts include a national epidemiological study of more than 2,500 people with FM, research on developing assessment tools to measure fitness and performance of women with FM, and research on the effects of topical analgesic product 024 on the frequency and intensity of exercise. The center has also conducted a number of secondary studies and spin-off studies and has held educational events, including a dual-track seminar in 2007 for professionals and community members.

Most recently, the center and the North Orange County Fibromyalgia Support Group co-hosted An Evening to Remember, Embrace & Celebrate. Supported by the NFA, the event featured an update on the center’s efforts, a fibromyalgia research update and a presentation on FM and grief. The program ended with a moving candlelight ceremony, complete with an original song composed for the occasion by Pasquale Talarico. Visit http://pasqualetalarico.com/live/ and click on Listen then Vigil Song to listen. Or click here to watch and listen on YouTube.