AiArthritis

The International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis (AiArthritis) is led by people affected by AiArthritis diseases who use this lived experience to connect with a global pool of patients and then use our professional backgrounds to connect those patients with other stakeholders so, together - as equals - we can solve problems that will impact education, advocacy, or research.

Mission

The International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis

(AiArthritis) helps those, like us, who are affected by autoimmune and autoinflammatory arthritis (AiArthritis) diseases, have a voice alongside other stakeholders as equals - so, together, we can solve problems that impact education, advocacy, and research. 

We expand this mission into every project we work on. We always use a patient-led team approach, then enlist the help of other stakeholders and professionals, to produce strong solutions with high impact.   ("Global Network philosophy").

Vision

We envision the stories of tomorrow to be those of early diagnosis, expedited therapeutic intervention, common remission, and a world that understands the type of arthritis associated with our diseases.

We believe this is possible because:

1. We focus on small groups of diseases that are connected by the type of arthritis that often presents with them early in onset*. By separating these from the 100+ other 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.
2. 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 which will bring high impact.

* We say "early" in onset because arthritis, or joint pain, may be controlled - or come and go - more over time if damage has not happened. These diseases are full-body, so underlying autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases affect tissues and organs as well.

Core Priorities & Goals 

• Accelerate early detection, referrals, diagnosis, and access to therapeutic intervention
• Improve the quality of life, remission rates, and healthcare outcomes
• Expand patient collaboration and influence in education, advocacy, and research in order to improve outcomes and advance innovation
• Unite with other stakeholders in our community so, together, we can increase impact and improve patient and supporter outcomes
• Eliminate misconceptions about these diseases and the type of arthritis associated with them (“Autoimmune Arthritis” and “Autoinflammatory Arthritis”, commonly known as AiArthritis)