450 million

PEOPLE WORLDWIDE  WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS EVENT

60+

NUMBER OF COUNTRIES THIS EVENT HAS REACHED

1

YOU x 1,000's OF OTHERS!
TOGETHER WE CAN DRIVE IMPACT
World AUTOimmune & AUTOinflammatory Arthritis Day  (#AiArthritisDay)- Race to Awareness
For the duration of May 20th
As it passes through ALL time zones globally (6am EST May 19th - 5am EST May 21st, or 47 straight hours!)
World AUTOimmune & AUTOinflammatory Arthritis Day  was established by our nonprofit in 2012 to raise awareness about the AUTOimmune and AUTOinflammatory diseases that include inflammatory-driven arthritis (AiArthritis) as a major clinical component. Historically over 3 dozen patient organizations unite annually - along with many businesses, patient advocates, and public participants - to DRIVE global awareness and education that reaches 60+ countries globally. 

To catch the attention of those who do not understand our diseases, including the type of arthritis associated with them, we use AUTO-themed awareness and education materials.   In 2020, we are revving it up with Honorary Chair, Angela Durazo - race car driver, actress, and person diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis - as we kick off the month with launch parties, auto racing themed attire, podcasts, and LIVE auto-themed awareness activities!
Lack of awareness leads to relationship conflicts, delayed diagnosis, compromised quality of life, and elevated healthcare costs. Education about these diseases, including the fact they are full body diseases affecting many parts (joints, tissues, organs) is necessary to improve the lives of the 450 million worldwide affected.

Race to Awareness & Education Goals:
  1. Educate the public and medical community about key disease features that can lead to early detection, referrals, and diagnosis
  2. Address misunderstandings associated with these diseases

Starting on May 2nd, join one of two launch parties to officially start the countdown to World AiArthritis Day 2020.  Call to action awareness and educational materials will be shared at this time, giving you enough time to get yourself all revved up to bring major attention to our diseases on the 20th!

Launch Parties: May 2nd
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm CST

The official Launch Party, which will begin the official countdown to World AUTOimmune & AUTOinflammatory Arthritis Day, will be held in St. Louis, MO ("the AUTO Ball), where awareness activities and educational materials will be shared LIVE to an ONLINE Launch Party held by @aiarthritisday social media pages. So YOU can be part of the action regardless where you are in the world - even if that's your sofa!

Can't be online during that time? No problem! It's social media, you can locate the posts then watch and share at your convenience. It's patient-friendly!

#AiArthritisDay

Honorary Chair: Angela Durazo 

Angela Durazo is an inspiring person who not only lives with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), she is a former triathlete, award-winning actress, and the first female to enter the Formula 4 US Race Championship. While RA may have interrupted her professional world in triathlons, it didn't stop her from translating her passion for sports into another "vehicle" .... car racing. 

Like most patients, Angela "looks great" because AiArthritis diseases are typically invisible, as they attack the body on a cellular level from the inside out. Eventually the inflammation caused enough destruction that she underwent multiple shoulder surgeries and knee surgery, followed by months of more rehabilitation. "When I left triathletes I went into severe depression. Doing them was a big part of my identity - my work, my friends, it was everything I had and who I was. When I lost that I didn't know what to do. Auto racing has given me a second chance to be an athlete."  

Angela made history in 2018 as the first female to enter the F4 US Championships. Not only did Durazo compete in the 37-car field of the USF4 series, she forged her F4 talent with a 1st place win in the Formula IMR Challenge series. She also secured two 2nd place podiums of the 6 race F4 Winter Championships series and she took home a notable 5th place in the Fp4 F4 West Coast Championships. Angela was coached by F1 Legend Tommy Bryne. 

Angela will be attending the Launch Party "AUTO Ball" in St. Louis, MO on Saturday, May 2nd, so either see her in person or connect with her online via social media that evening. 

Then continue to follow our posts with Angela all month long, leading up to and including World AUTOimmune & AUTOinflammatory Arthritis Day  on May 20th!


Get Involved

Participate in World AUTOimmune & AUTOinflammatory Arthritis Day activities starting with the Launch Parties on May 2nd and continuing through the awareness day on May 20th
May 2nd
Join the Official Launch Party ONLINE! Tune in to the @AiArthritisDay Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages on May 2nd starting at 6pm CST/USA as we will be tuning in LIVE from the AUTO Ball in St. Louis with Honorary Chair Angela Durazo.  

May 2nd - 20th 
  • Share our AUTO-themed awareness and educational materials from @AiArthritisDay social media pages (starting May 2nd). Use #AiArthritisDay. Resources will be available on this website soon after the Launch Party.
  • Include auto-themed gear as part of your wardrobe. Some charities use colored ribbons, we use creative car-themed "flair" to start the conversation about our full body diseases. Share pics on social media using #AiArthritisDay.
  • Host your own auto-themed awareness party! House parties, go-kart tracks, sharing auto-themed appetizers - help us teach others why awareness about our diseases is so important. Share pics on social media using #AiArthritisDay.
  • Donate to an official World AiArthritis Day Charity. While hosted by our nonprofit, typically over 3 dozen other organizations worldwide unite to spread awareness. Check back soon to see who is participating this year!
Businesses, Offices, Schools, Clubs:  Drive awareness with peers and help the public begin to better understand our diseases!  Fill in the Contact Form below to learn more about getting involved in AUTO - themed awareness. 
he AUTO Ball - Race for Global Education & Awareness, St. Louis, MO 

The inaugural AUTO Ball, an event benefiting our nonprofit, will be held in St. Louis, MO on May 2nd, from 6:00-10:00 pm at the National Museum of Transportation - Earl C. Lindburg Auto Center.  Since we established World AUTOimmune & AUTOinflammatory Arthritis Day  as our first initiative (2012), we felt it was appropriate to tie that into our inaugural gala. 

The AUTO Ball gala will also double as the headquarters Launch Party to officially start the countdown to  World AUTOimmune & AUTOinflammatory Arthritis Day on May 20th.   

Join IFAA's team and Honorary Chair, Angela Durazo, as we stream car-themed awareness activities from the event to the ONLINE Launch Party taking place on the @AiArthritisDay social media pages!
Auto Ball festivities will include a Pit Crew Cocktail party featuring local car clubs and auto-enthusiasts, a live podcast, raffle, auction, and interactive awareness activities that will be streamed live to social media. Attendees will be encouraged to bring their cell phones fully charged so they can help drive awareness with us on their social media accounts.  In tribute to those living with AiArthritis diseases, who often face challenges such as fatigue, pain, and potential joint swelling or stiffness during an event, we are asking both AUTO Ball attendees and those tuning in online to dress comfortable, but classy, with auto-racing flair. 

Whether you join us in person or via the online launch party, meet our staff, volunteers, and Honorary Chair, Angela Durazo, as we drive global awareness to next levels!

Attend the AUTO Ball benefit & Launch Party, St. Louis, MO
Learn more about the AUTO Ball

Businesses, Offices, Schools, Clubs, and More!

Drive awareness with peers and help the public begin to better understand our diseases! Fill in the Contact Form below to learn more about getting involved in 
AUTO - themed awareness. 

Sign up to our newsletter

Share by: