The link between the colour pink and Breast Cancer is well known to most. Pink ribbons have helped raise awareness of breast cancer, raised funds for breast cancer research and remind women to be 'breast aware'.
Treasury Casino and Hotel
Phtograph © Treasury Casino and Hotel
A little known condition, called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is hoping to gain public understanding and support through their
Colour The World Orange Campaign.
Color The World Orange is an annual international event held on the first Monday of November. You can spread awareness of this debilitating condition by being a part of this campaign. There are many ways to get involved. Wearing orange on the day is an easy way to show support, start conversations and spread awareness of CRPS (also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or RSD). You might choose to show your support with an orange shirt, bracelet or even an awareness ribbon.
United in the Fight for CRPS Awareness are a Brisbane-based group with supporters around the globe. The
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and
Treasury Casino and Hotel are just two establishments who were quick to show their support. They will turn orange on November 2nd to support the Colour the World Campaign as they spread awareness of CRPS. Other organisations will also be demonstrating their support with a blaze of orange on November the 2nd. These include the
Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the
Melbourne Star, the
Wheel of Brisbane and
Skypoint Observation Deck at the Gold Coast. Keep an eye on
Colour The World Orange Campaign for further announcements.
Supporters, sufferers of CRPS and their friends and family are invited to gather at these venues. Take photos and share them to United in the Fight for CRPS Awareness facebook page. Their vision is 'to have people affected by CRPS united in a joint effort to raise awareness. It is a day for the whole community to join together and show that even though we are in pain, we are strong.'
Ways to be Involved:
• Wear orange on the day – a shirt, a bracelet or an awareness ribbon. Supporters' shirts are available from Colour The World Orange Campaign.
• Post a CRPS supporters' profile pic such as this one available from CRPS / RSD Awareness World of Fire & Ice Graphics
CRPS Profile Picture. Graphics by SM Adcock
• Have a family fun day (a BBQ, at the Beach or local parks)
• Organise a group meeting in your area
• Change your cover photo to advertise Colour the World Orange Campaign
CRPS Cover Picture. Graphics by United in the Fight for CRPS Awareness
• Ask your local doctors, chemist or coffee shop if they would put up posters about CRPS (These are available from United in the Fight for CRPS Awareness.)
• snap a quick selfie with your wonderful pet, if you can't get to an event
• And don't forget to upload your pictures to our sites, using the social media hash tag:#CRPSORANGEDAY
How Severe is the Pain experienced by CRPS Sufferers?CRPS is the most painful, known chronic disease. It has a score of 42 out of 50 on the McGill Pain Index.
The McGill Pain Index was developed in 1971 by Melzack and Torgerson at the McGill University in Canada to measure pain using multiple dimensions. Patients were questioned about their pain location, intensity, quality and pattern asked about their anxiety, fear, aggravating conditions, actions that alleviated pain and their overall pain appraisal. This questionnaire led to a reliable way of gauging pain. The McGill Pain Index is used by doctors and hospital around the world.
It would be great to see Brisbane, and further afield, blaze orange in the night sky. Add to the glow of support, don your orange and support these brave CRPS sufferers.
Photograph by JD Krohn
