RE: The American Pain Foundation is no more...!!!

[Guest guest]

I was a member since the start with paul gileno and i got a letter today. O am

shocked. It was a grant? Cathie in Ct

Ron wrote:

Hi ya Bennie,

I've noticed that you've mentioned the APF quite a few times. I couldn't agree

more with you, It was a brilliant organization, and I've been an active member

there for the last decade or so. Unfortunately, It doesn't exist any longer.

I don't know if you receive their newsletters or other mailings, But as of this

evening, there is nothing left of their website / organization except for the

homepage explaining the decision to shut down. It's a sad day for the Pain

Community in my humble opinion.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, But I thought some here would want to know

this.

[Guest guest]

Really? what happened and when? First I have heard! Yikes terrible!

JK@...

> Ron wrote:

> But as of this evening, there is nothing left of their website / organization

except for the homepage explaining the decision to shut down.

[Guest guest]

Ron,

This is so sad as they covered military issues and pain more and I am glad I

have copied the brochures. I also have seen others go that donated their monies

to try to say fellow pain Doctors they they are thinking they can save.

To convey what Ron has said this is APF's last letter to all:

With deep regret and heavy hearts, we sadly inform you that due to irreparable

economic circumstances, APF must cease to exist, effective immediately. On May

3, 2012, the Board of Directors formally voted to dissolve the organization.

The Board and staff have worked tirelessly over many months to address a

significant gap between available financial resources and funds needed to remain

operational. Unfortunately, the economic situation has not changed in any

meaningful way, despite our best efforts.

APF hopes to be able to transfer content from various information, education,

and support programs to other organizations so that you may continue to benefit

from the value these programs have provided to thousands of individuals and

families across the country.

Your personal experiences in living with pain and seeking compassion, empathy

and medical care — often against the odds -- have driven our efforts over these

many years. This includes enactment of key provisions of the National Pain Care

Policy Act in the Health Reform Bill that led to a landmark report issued in

2011 by the Institutes of Medicine. This report documents the shocking numbers

of US citizens that live with pain and calls for immediate changes to address

gaps in care. Despite this, the current climate towards improving the plight of

people with pain in the US continues to be precarious and hostile.

As you unfortunately know, the need for public outcry around the needs of

Americans struggling with pain conditions is greater today than ever before in

light of the multi-front assault occurring daily on our right to dignified care.

Misguided state and federal policies are impeding access to appropriate and

reasonable medical care for people struggling with pain, and deterring even the

most compassionate medical providers from treating anyone with pain conditions.

It is therefore critical that each of you raise your voices singularly and

together to demand the care you deserve. It is only by continuing to demand

attention to the ever-worsening barriers and unacceptable suffering that change

will occur.

Elected officials, policy makers, and the media need to keep hearing from each

and every one of you so they are not allowed to walk away from the consequences

of this over-looked public health and medical problem. Please know that although

APF will cease to exist, the resolve and commitment among individuals on the

Board and staff remain strong.

At least there is still PainTopics.org and the resource section has many

articles (peer reviewed) that are specific to specific pain conditions. I am

saving the subject areas I want for my library.

Thank You for letting me know about American Pain Foundation, these were

dedicated people who lobbied for our outcry for caring for us.

I do not write about Washington States' new medication law because I do not like

Washington but who gives the state the right to guidelines that pain patients

take EVEN when they are lower in

Than the PDR states and this is now our new requirements and guess I go to

Oregon to kill myself legally rather than not having the right to have

controlled pain. Sad, Sad, Bennie

> Ron wrote:

> But as of this evening, there is nothing left of their website / organization

except for the homepage explaining the decision to shut down. It's a sad day for

the Pain Community in my humble opinion.

[Guest guest]

Hi ya Bennie,

You are so right, It's SAD. I felt like I was kicked in the stomach when I

opened that email. It was devastating. I've been a member from almost the very

beginning. I know that aren't the only people advocating for us, But they were

the best at it in my opinion. I'm so sorry they couldn't survive the economic

crisis, as it's you and I that are going to suffer in the future. Hopefully

there will be another group that will be born out of this tragedy as we surely

need national advocates for pain issues in this country in my humble opinion.

Have a great night,

Hugs,

Ron B. - NY

> Bennie wrote:

> This is so sad as they covered military issues and pain more

[Guest guest]

,

I went to the home page and I also pasted it. This is so sad but they still plan

on lobbying, they were one of the most effective groups I have known and glad I

have copied Their target notebook, might be able to get it thru cached, it is

certainly be missed ! Bennie

> wrote:

> Really? What happened and when? First I have heard! Yikes terrible!