Guest Blog: See the Signs. Stop the Delay. Why Raising Awareness Matters Across All Nonprofits

By Jason Blackwell, MBA

Director, Brand Experience & Public Affairs

Spondylitis Association of America

September is Pain Awareness Month—an important annual national health observance to shine a light on millions of Americans who live with chronic pain, a struggle often unseen and misunderstood. For the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA), September is a call to action for our new awareness campaign: See the Signs. Stop the Delay. This campaign highlights the need for early recognition of spondyloarthritis (SpA) symptoms and timely referral to a rheumatologist. More than 3.2 million Americans live with this painful and often debilitating family of diseases. It is common to wait an average of 7–10 years before receiving a correct diagnosis. Delays can lead to disease progression and physical, emotional, and financial hardships.

Although SAA’s mission focuses on people living with spondyloarthritis, the challenge of delayed diagnosis, barriers to care, and the lifelong impact of chronic illness are not unique to just our (SpA) community. Here in California and across the nation, we as nonprofits working in health, social services, education, and policy realize the profound impact that awareness efforts have on the lives of our constituents. Together, we have the power to amplify one another’s voices, advance critical research, and advocate for equitable policies that improve access and quality of care—for all.

As member nonprofit organizations of CalNonprofits, we share a common bond: to educate our communities, push for equitable quality care, and remind policymakers that nonprofits are essential partners in building a healthier, more just society. By banding together—whether on behalf of patients with spondyloarthritis, families experiencing food insecurity, or communities impacted by environmental hazards—we can turn awareness into action.

So, this September, SAA invites you, our fellow nonprofits, to reflect on the shared threads that connect our missions and join us in elevating voices. When we raise awareness together, we not only give visibility to overlooked communities—we also strengthen the nonprofit sector’s collective voice in shaping a more equitable future. Learn more about the campaign at https://spondylitis.org/pain-awareness-month

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