Happy Birthday #Rheum for World Arthritis Day
Last October 12, I was in New Jersey in on a WEGO Health panel of health activists. But before I got on the plane, I wrote a blog post to share my concept of a #Rheum community online for people interested in Rheumatoid disease and rheumatology topics, beginning with a Twitter hashtag and chat.
Over the past year, hundreds of patients, care-givers, medical professionals, and representatives of companies have used the #rheum hashtag on Twitter. We have conducted 33 Sunday afternoon chats in the last year! We’ve seen as many as 60 people in a chat.
Why did I make #rheum?
- A year ago, I noticed several people joining Twitter each week from the blog. I’d had personal contact with hundreds of patients, and I wanted to create a way to have them know each other. I’d purposely introduced people to each other (and I still do), but that was not enough. I wanted those people to be able to contribute to conversations – I wanted to create a community there.
- I hoped that the doctors or companies that I was Tweeting with would see what the patients were saying and vice versa. They do now!
- I wanted to begin to teach Google (& all search engines) that “Rheum” and “Rheumatoid” identify Rheumatoid Disease more closely than “arthritis” does. It’s exciting that #Rheum is already being suggested in searches!
Last year is hard to top! What am I doing today?
LOTS! Here’s a big one! The Rheumatoid Patient Foundation video project is now underway. We have only a few days to collect video clips and submit them to begin the edit process, so if you’d like to participate, please request the instructions immediately by emailing katieb@rheum4us.org.
If you’ve already received the instructions, please send your clips in as quickly as possible.
If you can’t send in a video, you can still help!
- Add our first RPF badge to your blog or website – here’s how – click here.
- Donate to the RPF – here’s how – click here.
- Join RPF when membership is opened soon – check back at rheum4us.org often for updates.
Recommended reading
- Columbus Day and World Arthritis Day: Is There a Connection?
- Traveling to a WEGO Health Panel for Health Activists
- Twitter & a #rheum for the Rheumatoid Online Community
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You amaze me, woman… Congratulations!
Thank you for all you do Kelly. You’re the best! I read your blog every day and always find something useful. Keep up the good work! <3
Thank you for starting the #rheum community, Kelly! I cannot tell you how much it has meant to me. I highly encourage anyone looking to connect with other RA-Warriors to join in the #rheum conversations on Twitter! There are such great people there who are very encouraging and provide wonderful support.
And… I’ll be working on my video tonight — hope it turns out okay!!
I’ll put the badge on my blog and name the organization my RA donation site for my Etsy store. I craft for heath and sanity, and on my Etsy site I explain that I will donate a portion of each sale to RA reserch etc.
Kelly Just a quick question.I know your busy. I couldnt find a log out for RPF. I just backed out of it. Is there going to be one? if not its ok..Thanks.
There’s no log out because there is no log ON yet. When the membership side opens up, there will be.