Welcome Our New Support Group Leaders
We would like to welcome our new Spondylitis Educational Support Group Leaders! The Ann Arbor, MI (formerly Detroit, MI) support group is now being led by Tamara Wilcox and the Portland, OR group is now being lead by Kathryn Houston. Stay up to date with support group meetings and events by clicking on one of the links below:

• Click here for Ann Arbor Information
  
  
• Click here for Portland Information
  
  
• Click here for a listing of all our support groups

Your Voice is Powerful – Make Sure It’s Heard!
With President Elect Obama's upcoming inauguration on January 20, it is more important than ever to let your legislators know where you stand on the important issues that affect you and your family as part of the spondylitis community.

Join SAA’s Legislative Action Center today! You can make a big difference in just 5 minutes. Once you join THIS FREE SERVICE, we’ll send you updates about issues of importance to the spondylitis community so that you can contact your local and state representatives to make your voice heard. Click here to visit SAA’s Legislative Action Center.

Help raise awareness with SAA's official
15oz ceramic coffee mugs!
Help get the word out about your favorite cause. This high gloss ceramic mug with extra large ear shaped handle is a definite conversation starter. Holding 14 ounces of your favorite beverage, this heavy, oversized mug features a large ear shaped handle and boasts the SAA logo on each side. Click here to order.

We Are Here To Support You!
From our Spondylitis Educational Support Groups all over the country, to our new Network of PEERS Program, to our pages on Facebook and MySpace, SAA is here to support you! Remember we also have free Forums at spondylitis.org that are available 24/7. From all of us here at SAA, have a very happy new year!

Get SMART
Looking for a smart idea? You can spread your SAA contribution out over the year by becoming a member of the Spondylitis Monthly Automatic Rewards Team (S.M.A.R.T.). By becoming a S.M.A.R.T. Giver, you can designate an amount to be charged to your credit or debit card each month.

As a Charter Member of S.M.A.R.T. your support will help sustain SAA's worldwide leadership role in promoting early diagnosis and effective treatment of AS and related diseases.

It's easy, convenient and your monthly donation will be put to work right away -- providing the programs and services you've come to rely upon. Sign up online at spondylitis.org/smart or by calling Helene Hart at 800-777-8189.

• People who have been diagnosed with AS
• Non affected spouses of people with AS
• Non affected friends of people with AS

If this describes you, and you would like to help, and have not already participated in an AS Genetic Study, please call the Research Coordinator at 800 777-8189 x 224 or email info@asresearch.org

Other Research
For more information on spondylitis research and studies please click here.