AiArthritis logo showing stylized infinite loop symbol in red with black dots, above organization name for International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis.

Our Mission, Vision, and Goals

Mission Statement. We are leaders in advancing education, advocacy, and research for those impacted by autoimmune and autoinflammatory arthritis (AiArthritis) diseases through peer-led guidance, collaboration, and resources that are driven by patient-identified issues and patient-infused solutions.

Patient-led approach. No one can identify what a patient needs most more than those personally impacted by the diseases. So, we find a variety of ways to invite patient voices 'to the table' to ensure we are addressing issues that matter most to them and to give them opportunities to be as involved in our programs as possible.  In turn, our community can take pride in knowing they helped develop the programs and resources that ultimately can improve their lives and the lives of 450 million people worldwide!


Global Network philosophy. We collaborate with other organizations, health professionals, and other groups as necessary to make sure the work we do creates the most impact.


Who do we help? We help those diagnosed, their support network, and the undiagnosed ("Mystery Patients")... because everyone is undiagnosed before they are diagnosed.




How we do it

Patient-Inspired Solutions. Every problem we work to solve starts with listening to those living with these diseases. We know only those with lived experience can identify what is missing - what they really need that is not currently happening - in order to improve their journey.  Once issues are identified, we "put the topic on the table" and invite more people to talk about it. From there we continue working together to build solutions and resources that can help improve the lives of millions worldwide living with AiArthritis diseases!

Every program and project is designed by patients for patients and has two levels - learn from our resources and 'elevated experiences'.  Once we go through the process above, the result will be a patient-designed program that is also led by those affected by our diseases - along with help from others, like doctors, researchers, legislators, or anyone who is needed to make the best project possible. Each program will include two levels:


  • Resources to improve health education or support needs. Like most nonprofits, we create resources patients and care partners need to help navigate their journey with AiArthritis diseases.
  • "Elevated experience" - opportunity to get more involved in the healthcare journey. For those who want to be more active or 'hands on' in their healthcare journey, we offer opportunities to participate in interactive learning experiences and activities - all led by those affected by these diseases! It's a true patient-led experience of mentorship and empowerment.


Vision

We envision the stories of tomorrow to be those of early detection and diagnosis, individualized therapeutic intervention and access to them, improved quality of life, common remission, and a world that understands the depth of our diseases and the challenges associated with them.


We believe this is possible because:

 

  • There are over 100 “auto” diseases (autoimmune diseases and autoinflammatory diseases). But only a small percentage of those also include inflammatory arthritis as a major clinical component in most patients. Those are the diseases we focus on.  By separating these diseases from the 100+ other “auto” diseases that do not include this arthritis as a major clinical component, we can build on the similarities and differences to improve diagnostics, therapeutics, and outcomes.
  • We believe that no one can understand our diseases better than the people living with them. Our expertise as patients helps to "connect the dots" that others cannot see. As a result, our input drives solutions that are innovative and consider patient-reported needs and outcome preferences.




Core Priorities & Goals

 

  • Accelerate early detection, referrals, diagnosis, and access to therapeutic intervention
  • Improve quality of life, communication, remission rates, and healthcare outcomes
  • Expand patient collaboration and influence in education, advocacy, and research in order to improve outcomes and advance innovation
  • Eliminate misconceptions about these diseases and the type of inflammatory arthritis associated with them (“Autoimmune Arthritis” Diseases and “Autoinflammatory Arthritis” Diseases, commonly known as AiArthritis Diseases)


 


How We Work

When our founders developed the working structure, they took into account that the patients working and volunteering for our organization would require extreme flexibility to accommodate disease activity and flares so they could work when they are at their very best.


This means that we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to serve our people well and has resulted in heightened productivity and ability to reach across time zones with international collaboration and partnerships. 


Staff. Our CEO and staff local to St. Louis, MO, USA work together part time in a home office location, and the rest of the time through 'virtual officing'.  Our other staff members work from their home offices in various cities.

Fun Fact

Did you know this nonprofit started in 2011 after first being an awareness movement that showcased a bracelet with this bead pattern (now in our logo!)? Each bracelet came with a message that explained the meaning behind the pattern of beads in the design: "The three silver and black beads represent all people in a community working together for impact (red bead) to bring change (last gray bead)."

Leadership Team

From professional training in business, education, and 

research to expertise in a variety of patient advocate roles, we are community leaders and teachers. 

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History

One misunderstood patient started an awareness movement, where she met others just like her. Together they realized the key to change lies within the patient voice.

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