“10,000 for 10 Million”
UPDATE on National Fibromyalgia Association Facebook campaign

ANAHEIM, Calif. (August 14, 2009) —Just 10 days after the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) launched its first social media campaign to get 10,000 Facebook “fans” by October 1, thousands of Facebook users have signed up on the NFA’s Facebook page, bringing the total number of fans to more than 8,000 as of August 14.

The NFA’s campaign called, “10,000 for 10 Million,” refers to the 10 million people in the U.S. who suffer from the chronic pain condition of fibromyalgia. The campaign aims to raise awareness of fibromyalgia and the National Fibromyalgia Association through Facebook. More than 120 million users log on to Facebook at least once each day;

Many of the first-time posters to the page applauded the NFA’s newest public outreach efforts.

“So happy that NFA has got a Facebook page! Easy place to get to for the latest information! I will pass this on to friends!” wrote Andrea Nixon.

Other posters say they are also pleased just to have a place to share their experiences with others who understand and believe in their illness.

“I can't tell you how much this has helped me,” Teri Little posted. “It's nice to not feel like you’re all alone in this fight. Keep up the good work. Many thanks!!!”

“Thank God for groups and organizations such as these,” added Kia Guest. “It allows fibro sufferers like myself to express their feelings and find comfort in knowing that they are not alone.”

Video message to Fans
The campaign is being promoted on several other social media platforms, including blogs which have picked up the announcements. Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association, also recorded a recent video message addressed to its Facebook Fans. The video message, uploaded on the NFA’s YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/fmaware, was also posted on the Fans page.

“We are truly overwhelmed and overjoyed by everyone’s show of support,” said Matallana. “It’s very rewarding to read that the NFA’s Fans page is the first place posters have found—both online and offline—where they can find support and understanding of their illness.

 
“With these significant numbers, acquired in such a short time, we will be able to tell our story to the media, to the medical community and to everyone else, letting them know that fibromyalgia is real, and that we need more research and better treatment options for the 10 million people suffering with this disorder.”

The NFA’s Facebook Fans page was launched in early 2008, and had approximately 2,200 fans prior to the “10,000 for 10 million” campaign. To become a fan of the NFA’s Facebook Fans Page, go to www.fmaware.org and click on the Facebook icon.