UCB, Inc. and Arthritis Foundation Partner to Celebrate the "Everyday Victories" of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Community

ATLANTA, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, Inc. and the Arthritis Foundation are proud to announce the launch of "Everyday Victories," a program designed to celebrate the individual accomplishments of people succeeding with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  The program provides a platform for the 1.5 million Americans impacted by RA to share stories of their personal "everyday victories" over the condition.¹  For each victory submitted by a person living with RA, UCB will provide $1 to the Arthritis Foundation up to $30,000. 

RA is a chronic condition that causes painful swelling and fatigue that can disrupt daily life.²  Due to the nature of the disease, seemingly simple achievements like buttoning a shirt, mowing the lawn or folding laundry can feel like a victory for people living with RA. 

"For many people who battle RA, accomplishing everyday tasks can be a cause for celebration.  That's why we've partnered with the Arthritis Foundation to shine a spotlight on these daily triumphs," said Carol Satler, MD, PhD, Vice President, U.S. Medical Affairs, UCB, Inc.  "As a patient-centric company committed to developing medications for immunologic diseases like RA, we at UCB are propelled forward by the strength that these exceptional people show in spite of the challenges that RA poses.  'Everyday Victories' is our way of honoring those individuals while helping them to draw inspiration from one another."

Those interested in participating can visit www.EverydayRAVictories.com to enter a victory, view select submissions or the amount of funds raised.  They can also share information about the program with their followers on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.  Photo contributions to accompany victory submissions are welcome and encouraged.  Entries will be accepted beginning December 2012.

"My everyday victory is spending quality time with my children after school," said Lana B., a woman with RA and a blogger for Living Life as I See Fit.  "I've been handed my fair share of challenges thanks to RA, but my victory represents the mindset that while my condition may affect how I feel physically, it cannot control who I am – a mother, a legal professional, a blogger and an advocate for myself and others living with the condition.  Life with RA isn't always easy, but the inspiring stories shared through 'Everyday Victories' show us we can persevere."

The money raised will be used to help support the mission of the Arthritis Foundation, the largest national nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of arthritis. 

"We welcome the opportunity to amplify the collective voices of the RA community, and thank UCB for their partnership and generosity in helping us advance our mission of improving the lives of those with arthritis," said Rick Bell, managing director of cause development for the Arthritis Foundation.  "This program supports patients in their quest to live a full life, despite the daily challenges wrought by a debilitating disease.  We call on the RA community to contribute their victories – not only for inspiration, but for the insight they will give us into the lives of the patients we serve."

To learn more about "Everyday Victories" or to submit a story detailing your own personal victory or that of a loved one, please visit www.EverydayRAVictories.com.  

For further Information:
Andrea Levin, Associate Director, U.S. Communications and Public Relations
770.970.8352, [email protected]

Dena Koklanaris, Cooney/Waters Group
212.886.2228, [email protected]

About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly involves inflammation of the joints, including small joints in the hands and feet.² RA can cause painful swelling that can interrupt daily activities and may eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity if not adequately treated.^2,3 RA affects more than 1.5 million Americans,¹ and it is estimated that 5 million people suffer from RA globally.⁴  Prevalence is not split evenly between genders, since women are nearly three times more likely to be affected than men.⁵ Although RA can affect people of all ages, the onset of the disease usually occurs between 40-60 years of age.²

About the Arthritis Foundation
Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation's leading cause of disability. The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the unacceptable impact of this serious and painful disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest. The Foundation funds life‐changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.

About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 8,500 people in about 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.2 billion in 2011. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).

References
1. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed November 5, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid.htm.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Mayo Clinic. Accessed September 25, 2012 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis pain: Tips for protecting your joints, Mayo Clinic. Accessed October 24, 2012 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arthritis/AR00015/METHOD=print.
4. Rheumatoid Arthritis, UCB. Accessed September 25, 2012 from http://www.ucb.com/patients/conditions/immunology-inflammation/ra.
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Accessed October 24, 2012 from http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/default.asp.

SOURCE UCB