It’s Not What You Think.

“I am Emily and sometimes my knees hurt so bad I can’t do things other kids can do. But I still don’t let arthritis beat me.”
- Emily
Age 10
Upper Midwest Region

Arthritis is America’s #1 cause of disability, affecting 1 in 5 adults and 300,000 children in the U.S. This May join the Arthritis Foundation as we recognize Arthritis Awareness Month. You can get involved by becoming anadvocate, attending one of our free public forums, joining a Program forBetter Living class or forming a teamfor your local Arthritis Walk.

Read more stories at facesofarthritis.org

Find out more about Arthritis Foundation programs and events at arthritis.org

Jacquie Punch with Senator Franken (D-Minn.)

Jacquie Punch, from Woodbury, MN, has been a volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation for the last 11 years – focusing on arthritis education and patient advocacy issues. With her nursing background and work as a medical sales representative, she knows firsthand how important access to treatment is for patients.In 2005, Punch was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. In 2010, her daughter, Maddie, 11, was diagnosed with juvenile psoriatic arthritis. Becoming an arthritis patient, as well as a parent of a child with arthritis, has only increased Punch’s passion for arthritis advocacy.

“I knew my diagnosis was going to add another perspective to what I was doing,” Punch said. “It’s provided a catalyst for me to share arthritis education and to share my experiences from a patient’s perspective. The support from the Arthritis Foundation has also been instrumental in dealing with the diagnosis of my own daughter.”

The Arthritis Foundation’s annual Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. this March let Punch put her skills into action. She was the leader for the Upper Midwest Region’s group, and helped her team be well-prepared when they met with their senators and representatives on Capitol Hill.

Punch emphasized the importance of gaining legislators’ support for the Patients’ Access to Treatment Act (H.R. 460), which would help end cap payments for “specialty tier” drugs, including biologics.

“The Summit was extremely well-organized and everyone was enthusiastic,” Punch said. “We didn’t back down. We held onto our mission of making a difference.” Punch is impressed with the Arthritis Foundation’s priority to support patients, providers and healthcare communities. Looking to the future, she is excited about the changes that will come with healthcare reform.

“My mission this year is to expand awareness and knowledge on the health insurance exchange,” Punch stated. “And to create more opportunities for people to become engaged in arthritis advocacy.

Encouraging others to get involved in arthritis education and advocacy work is important to Punch. “I have worked with a variety of advocacy organizations over the last 20 years, but my priorities with the Arthritis Foundation have been the most rewarding, both professionally and personally,” she said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to support the arthritis cause and for patients to learn from other patients.”