The first Pain Awareness Month was held in 2001 and since then the event has gone from strength to strength – Around 75 million Americans are suffering pain and it’s time to do something about it.  Awareness will be raised by the American Pain Foundation Action Network to this huge problem so that politicians are focused on the need for new research and treatments. The month also ties in with National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week.  More suffers will have the chance to voice their pain via blogging and virtual conferences. The key to raising awareness is to get involved. There are many things that you can do to help promote Pain Awareness Month. Talk with Friends & Family: Let them know that September is Pain Awareness Month. “Like” the ACPA on Facebook. Encourage your friends to do the same. Everyone who lives with chronic pain—or cares about someone who does—is different. But at the same time, we all have common interests. It is a kind of community and deserves to have their voices heard. Partners for Understanding Pain represents a comprehensive network of resources and knowledge about issues in pain management. Pain Awareness Toolkits provide information for working collaboratively with healthcare professionals, consumer and professional organizations, journalists, community leaders, and elected officials to ensure that those who suffer from pain have access to appropriate and effective pain therapies. At the moment it is based around the website American Chronic Pain Association and not in the UK but that doesn’t mean UK sufferers cannot help to promote Pain Awareness Month.