NFA reaches goal of 10,000 Facebook Fans in record time

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Aug. 24, 2009) — It began as the National Fibromyalgia Association’s (NFA) first major social media campaign: get 10,000 ‘fans’ on its Facebook page by October 1, 2009 to help raise awareness on behalf of the estimated 10 million people with fibromyalgia and to inform the public about the NFA—the largest U.S. nonprofit organization serving people with fibromyalgia.

Less than four weeks after the launch of its "10,000 for 10 million" campaign, the NFA not only reached its goal—well over a month ahead of its deadline—but its fans page became one of the few online and offline places where many people with fibromyalgia are finding support for and understanding of their often debilitating, chronic pain disorder.

As one of the first "fans" put it: Finally, a place where we all can come together and share and help one another. What a blessing this will be."

Another poster wrote: "I am so happy to … have some place to come to and know that I'm heard but don't feel like I'm ‘whining.’ To know that there are so many others out there that have that same feeling of being alone sometimes makes me sad, but at the same time gives me some sort of comfort in knowing that I am not alone."

National Fibromyalgia Association President and Founder Lynne Matallana, who was diagnosed with the disorder in 1995, says she’s overjoyed—though not surprised—at the overwhelming response to the campaign in such a short amount of time.

"People with fibromyalgia have a natural desire to connect with others in the community because we often have felt isolated and dismissed by family, friends, the media and even some members of the medical community who don’t know much about this disorder, and tell us things like, ‘You don’t look sick,’ or ‘It’s all in your head,’" explained Matallana. "But 10,000 people cannot be dismissed, and this campaign will go a long way in helping to continue to establish the credibility and legitimacy of fibromyalgia."

An estimated 10 million people in the U.S. suffer with fibromyalgia, a complex chronic pain disorder usually characterized by chronic widespread pain, multiple tender points, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbances, fatigue and other symptoms.

Free subscription to online magazine

As a way to thank its new fans, the National Fibromyalgia Association is giving away a free, one-year subscription to its online magazine, Fibromyalgia AWARE ($19.95 value) to the first 100 fans who register for the promotion by September 1, 2009. All contestants will also receive free announcements from the NFA, including news updates, resources and tips. (Subscribers may opt-out of this option by clicking on "unsubscribe" upon delivery.)

To enter the contest, enter name and email address at the link below:

www.fmaware.org/10000_for_10million_contest

The National Fibromyalgia Association’s Facebook page was created in early 2008, and had over 2,200 fans before "10,000 for 10 million" was launched.

To become a fan of the NFA’s Facebook Page, go to: www.FMaware.org and click on the Facebook icon.