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The Arthritis Foundation at 60

John H. Klippel, M.D.

President and CEO Arthritis Foundation

The start of the new year brings more excitement than usual for all of us at the Arthritis Foundation. The Foundation will celebrate its 60 anniversary throughout the year - 60 years of providing service to people living with arthritis.

To celebrate the occasion, we are proud to launch our Power of 60 campaign. The campaign will be incorporated into national, regional and community initiatives and projects during the year. The campaign will help raise awareness of the seriousness of arthritis and the Arthritis Foundation’s position as the leading voluntary health agency that supports arthritis research, public health and public policy initiatives.

Over the years, the Arthritis Foundation has been honored to partner with many outstanding organizations in an effort to improve lives of people with arthritis. The National Health Council has been a long standing and very key partner, which has allowed us to join together with other voluntary health agencies and make progress on our educational, legislative and research goals in the fight against this disease that affects millions of Americans.

All of us at the Arthritis Foundation sincerely appreciate your continued support and look forward to many more years of serving the growing needs of people living with arthritis.

Celebrating 60 Years of Success

Some of the 60 Milestones include:

1948	7 Million Americans live with arthritis. The Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation (renamed the Arthritis Foundation) is founded.
1959	The Arthritis Foundation first speaks to Congress about protecting consumers from phony cures and treatments for arthritis.
1966	Surgeon General's report designates arthritis as a national health menace and recommends a program to decrease disability from arthritis.
1972	President Richard Nixon signs a proclamation designating May as National Arthritis Month.
1980	American Juvenile Arthritis Organization established.
1991	President George Herbert Walker Bush proclaims Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Week.
2001	The Arthritis Foundations's total investment in research exceeds $300 million.
2004	Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2004 is introduced. The first arthritis-specific legislation in more than 30 years expands the federal government's efforts to prevent, treat, and find a cure for arthritis.
2007	46 million Americans live with arthritis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates an increase to nearly 67 million (25 percent of the adult population) by the year 2030.