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July is Chronic Disease Month. Get Involved and Take Action!

Chronic Disease Month 2023

Don't fight alone. Chronic Disease Month is a time to bring national attention to the lives of chronic disease patients and drive tangible, long-lasting change in the healthcare system. Our goal is to raise awareness about the challenges that chronic disease patients face and transform that awareness into actionable steps that advance policy objectives benefiting patients. Discover how you can get involved and make a positive impact on the lives of patients throughout the country!

I Advocate Because...

Share why you advocate for chronic disease patients! Utilize our web tool to create your very own custom 'I advocate because...' digital graphic. Go the extra mile and share it on social tagging @ChronicRights with the hashtag #CDM23

Create My Graphic
I love helping and educating people with their health concerns
- Joe Garcia , Caregiver, Arizona
My daughter and many others have Neuromyelitis Optica. She also like others suffer from Osteomyelitis. Both rare chronic diseases.
- Cindy Fincham, Caregiver, California
I would like to help improve healthcare.
- Mary Baliker, Patient, Wisconsin
having chronic illness can feel lonely, and I want others to know they aren't alone.
- Chelsea Gault, Patient, Washington
The World needs America to Be Strong & Patient Rights are Human Rights!!!
- Rachel Elizabeth , Advocate, Maryland
Patients rights are important.
- Gloria Hariharan, Patient, Washington
in hopes of making others be seen and heard. Having an invisible illness can make you feel crazy. It's nice to be understood.
- Megan Dumont, Patient, Rhode Island
Living in pain is hard enough. Having to worry about affordable healthcare options is even harder we need affordable and accessible care for those suffering with chronic illness
- Sheridan Wanliss Alexander , Patient, Georgia
Our voices deserve to be heard. The only way to a better future for those with chronic illnesses is through speaking up and getting the attention of those able to create change!
- Josh Tewsley , Advocate, Kentucky
Our voices need to be heard! So many suffer without the support of family, friends. It is time for those with chronic illnesses, known or lesser known to be heard and understood!
- Josh Tewsley , Patient, Kentucky
I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, heart disease and COPD. To say Im not in pain everyday from rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica would not be the truth. Opioids help a great deal, but my prescription is monitored by the government. My faith in God sustains me.
- Rhonda Smith, Patient, Texas
Vascular compression disorders have changed my life forever.
- Tytina Sanders-Bey, Patient, Indiana
Not all diseases are visible. Just because you cant see my disease doesnt mean it doesnt exist.
- Dianne Stevens, Patient, Connecticut
It's important for the patient voice to be heard - we need options that improve our quality of life and to know we aren't alone.
- Anna Williams, Patient, Indiana
I suffer with chronic pancreatitis and arthritis and degenerative back spine disease.
- Cynthia Foss , Patient, Oregon
If i dont advocate for myself and others like me then who will. I advocate because advocating saved my life and im glad that i was given that chance to actually be heard.
- Carmaria Fenton, Advocate, North Carolina
I have had to advocate for myself, searching for healing treatments for many years.
- Susanne Gluckman, Patient, Nevada
I have cyst on my kidneys
- Patricia Robbins , Patient, Massachusetts
Stigma, misinformation, medical gaslighting, and red tape exists in our healthcare system. "Awareness is the greatest agent of change." -Eckhardt Tolle
- Jenny S., Patient, Texas
The chronic illness and disability community are still the most marginalized group in the US. Living with lupus for 30 plus years, I advocate to hopefully change that.
- Kelli Roseta , Patient, Oregon
I want to raise awareness about EoE and other rare and invisible chronic diseases. Trying to Explain an Invisible Illness Can Be as Exhausting as the Illness Itself!
- Jenny Rodriguez , Patient, Georgia
I live with rheumatoid arthritis , Lupus and connective tissue disease. Along with several other things.
- Christina Bong, Patient, Washington
I want to raise awareness about Eot and other rare and invisible chronic diseases. Trying to Explain an Invisible Illness Can Be as Exhausting as the Illness Itself!
- Jenny Rodriguez, Patient, Georgia
The chronic illness and disability community continue to be the most marginalized group in the US. This needs to change.
- Kelli Roseta , Patient, Oregon
To Help My Fellow Kidney Patients!
- Jim Myers, Patient, Indiana
A sense of validation is needed to truly encourage patients and caregivers to feel uplifted in their medical journey.
- Courtney Rivard, Advocate, Utah
I want to raise awareness about EoE and other rare/invisible chronic diseases to influence policy change that will benefit patients healthcare.
- Jenny Rodriguez, Patient, Georgia
Patients especially ones who belong to marginalized communities deserve a voice
- Anna Ball, Advocate, Delaware
I want to raise awareness about Lupus and other chronic diseases and influence policy change that will benefit patients healthcare.
- Deborah Kofoed, Patient, North Carolina
Chronic disease patients are worthy of equitable health care regardless of rare or invisible illnesses
- Rebecca Weiner, Advocate, New Jersey
Too many people, like me, have a delayed diagnosis and treatment. This can lead to higher rates of morbidity and mortality.
- Christina Thielst, Patient, Nevada
Isolation and feeling like no one understands your experience can be a huge part of living with chronic a illness, and no one should have to navigate their journey alone.
- Michelle N. Johnson, Advocate, Illinois
I want to find community, share important lessons I have learned from those who have come before me, and create a safer and more just world for all chronically ill and disabled people.
- Casey Doherty, Advocate, Washington D.C.
Access to quality healthcare and affordable medications and treatments is a human right.
- CJ Walker, Advocate, Virginia
As a long time kidney warrior I cherish my life and have dedicated and possess a strong interest to help improve healthcare and quality of life of people with kidney disease.
- Mary Baliker, Advocate, Wisconsin
Individuals with chronic & rare disorders should feel they have a voice in their health care journey. Their voices should be heard, respected, and the foundation for all policy reform.
- Ashira Vantrees, Advocate, Florida
Every person's story matters.
- Gina M, Advocate, Washington
Our health care system can and must serve chronic patients better. Patients need a strong voice at every level of the legislative process.
- Nathaniel Brown, Advocate, Oregon
Because I believe in advocacy.
- Brian Adams, Advocate, California
It works! When elected officials know a policy's impact on constituents, they make better decisions. Tell your story, and be real and relentless!
- Mary Kay Clunies-Ross, Advocate, Washington
Chronic disease patients shouldn't have to fight alone! We all deserve affordable and accessible health care.
- Lauren Garetto, Advocate, Oregon
I love helping and educating people with their health concerns
- Joe Garcia , Caregiver, Arizona
My daughter and many others have Neuromyelitis Optica. She also like others suffer from Osteomyelitis. Both rare chronic diseases.
- Cindy Fincham, Caregiver, California
I would like to help improve healthcare.
- Mary Baliker, Patient, Wisconsin
having chronic illness can feel lonely, and I want others to know they aren't alone.
- Chelsea Gault, Patient, Washington
The World needs America to Be Strong & Patient Rights are Human Rights!!!
- Rachel Elizabeth , Advocate, Maryland
Patients rights are important.
- Gloria Hariharan, Patient, Washington
in hopes of making others be seen and heard. Having an invisible illness can make you feel crazy. It's nice to be understood.
- Megan Dumont, Patient, Rhode Island
Living in pain is hard enough. Having to worry about affordable healthcare options is even harder we need affordable and accessible care for those suffering with chronic illness
- Sheridan Wanliss Alexander , Patient, Georgia
Our voices deserve to be heard. The only way to a better future for those with chronic illnesses is through speaking up and getting the attention of those able to create change!
- Josh Tewsley , Advocate, Kentucky
Our voices need to be heard! So many suffer without the support of family, friends. It is time for those with chronic illnesses, known or lesser known to be heard and understood!
- Josh Tewsley , Patient, Kentucky
I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, heart disease and COPD. To say Im not in pain everyday from rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica would not be the truth. Opioids help a great deal, but my prescription is monitored by the government. My faith in God sustains me.
- Rhonda Smith, Patient, Texas
Vascular compression disorders have changed my life forever.
- Tytina Sanders-Bey, Patient, Indiana
Not all diseases are visible. Just because you cant see my disease doesnt mean it doesnt exist.
- Dianne Stevens, Patient, Connecticut
It's important for the patient voice to be heard - we need options that improve our quality of life and to know we aren't alone.
- Anna Williams, Patient, Indiana
I suffer with chronic pancreatitis and arthritis and degenerative back spine disease.
- Cynthia Foss , Patient, Oregon
If i dont advocate for myself and others like me then who will. I advocate because advocating saved my life and im glad that i was given that chance to actually be heard.
- Carmaria Fenton, Advocate, North Carolina
I have had to advocate for myself, searching for healing treatments for many years.
- Susanne Gluckman, Patient, Nevada
I have cyst on my kidneys
- Patricia Robbins , Patient, Massachusetts
Stigma, misinformation, medical gaslighting, and red tape exists in our healthcare system. "Awareness is the greatest agent of change." -Eckhardt Tolle
- Jenny S., Patient, Texas
The chronic illness and disability community are still the most marginalized group in the US. Living with lupus for 30 plus years, I advocate to hopefully change that.
- Kelli Roseta , Patient, Oregon
I want to raise awareness about EoE and other rare and invisible chronic diseases. Trying to Explain an Invisible Illness Can Be as Exhausting as the Illness Itself!
- Jenny Rodriguez , Patient, Georgia
I live with rheumatoid arthritis , Lupus and connective tissue disease. Along with several other things.
- Christina Bong, Patient, Washington
I want to raise awareness about Eot and other rare and invisible chronic diseases. Trying to Explain an Invisible Illness Can Be as Exhausting as the Illness Itself!
- Jenny Rodriguez, Patient, Georgia
The chronic illness and disability community continue to be the most marginalized group in the US. This needs to change.
- Kelli Roseta , Patient, Oregon
To Help My Fellow Kidney Patients!
- Jim Myers, Patient, Indiana
A sense of validation is needed to truly encourage patients and caregivers to feel uplifted in their medical journey.
- Courtney Rivard, Advocate, Utah
I want to raise awareness about EoE and other rare/invisible chronic diseases to influence policy change that will benefit patients healthcare.
- Jenny Rodriguez, Patient, Georgia
Patients especially ones who belong to marginalized communities deserve a voice
- Anna Ball, Advocate, Delaware
I want to raise awareness about Lupus and other chronic diseases and influence policy change that will benefit patients healthcare.
- Deborah Kofoed, Patient, North Carolina
Chronic disease patients are worthy of equitable health care regardless of rare or invisible illnesses
- Rebecca Weiner, Advocate, New Jersey
Too many people, like me, have a delayed diagnosis and treatment. This can lead to higher rates of morbidity and mortality.
- Christina Thielst, Patient, Nevada
Isolation and feeling like no one understands your experience can be a huge part of living with chronic a illness, and no one should have to navigate their journey alone.
- Michelle N. Johnson, Advocate, Illinois
I want to find community, share important lessons I have learned from those who have come before me, and create a safer and more just world for all chronically ill and disabled people.
- Casey Doherty, Advocate, Washington D.C.
Access to quality healthcare and affordable medications and treatments is a human right.
- CJ Walker, Advocate, Virginia
As a long time kidney warrior I cherish my life and have dedicated and possess a strong interest to help improve healthcare and quality of life of people with kidney disease.
- Mary Baliker, Advocate, Wisconsin
Individuals with chronic & rare disorders should feel they have a voice in their health care journey. Their voices should be heard, respected, and the foundation for all policy reform.
- Ashira Vantrees, Advocate, Florida
Every person's story matters.
- Gina M, Advocate, Washington
Our health care system can and must serve chronic patients better. Patients need a strong voice at every level of the legislative process.
- Nathaniel Brown, Advocate, Oregon
Because I believe in advocacy.
- Brian Adams, Advocate, California
It works! When elected officials know a policy's impact on constituents, they make better decisions. Tell your story, and be real and relentless!
- Mary Kay Clunies-Ross, Advocate, Washington
Chronic disease patients shouldn't have to fight alone! We all deserve affordable and accessible health care.
- Lauren Garetto, Advocate, Oregon
Create My Graphic

Event:
Chronic University Symposium

Monday, July 10 11:00 a.m. – 1:00p.m. PST
Our goal for Chronic Disease Month (CDM) is to focus key audiences on the lives of chronic disease patients and to drive change in the healthcare system. No one wants pity; we are raising awareness about the challenges in order to turn that awareness into action.

Our preeminent event is our CDM23 Symposium. Out of recognition that 7 out of 10 people die from chronic diseases, we’re putting together a content-rich program on Monday, 7/10. Targeted at journalists, lawmakers, and policy staffers, we will host three 30-minute panels to better understand the life of chronic disease patients and explore the policy fixes they need right now.

The theme this year is “Don’t Fight Alone.” Through that lens, we are highlighting legislative champions, patient-advocates, the provider community, and Chronic Disease Coalition partner organizations. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

  • Session 1: Managing the High Cost of Chronic Disease Moderated by Erin Boyle, Health Care Journalist
    Hear from patients and experts about their experience bearing the financial, physical, and mental burdens of chronic disease – and what’s being done to help patients around the country better manage chronic illness in all areas of their lives.
  • Session 2: Legislative Champions and the next big fights Moderated by Nathaniel Brown, CDC Director of Advocacy
    Our health care system is broken; but there are many elected officials and patient advocates out there trying to fix it. We’ve seen some great progress this year, but big obstacles remain. Join this session to learn all about chronic disease policy – and politics.
  • Session 3: Caregivers & Providers in the Life and Advocacy Trenches Moderated by Mary Kay Clunies-Ross, CDC Executive Director
    The patient experience is at the core of everything we do at the CDC, but providers and caregivers are essential to patients’ wellbeing and to their long-term success. Hear from elected leaders, health care provider representatives, and caregivers about the tireless work they do – and what they need to best help their families and communities. 
WATCH THE RECORDING
1
Managing the High Cost of Chronic Disease

2
Legislative Champions and the Next Big Fights

3
Caregivers & Providers in the Life and Advocacy Trenches

Proclamations

Each year, governors from across the country officially recognize Chronic Disease Day and Chronic Disease Month in their respective states. These recognitions create widespread awareness, increased community engagement and ongoing advocacy critical to improving chronic disease patients’ quality of life and access to care. See if your state officially recognizes Chronic Disease Month.

Each year, governors from across the country officially recognize Chronic Disease Day and Chronic Disease Month in their respective states. These recognitions create widespread awareness, increased community engagement and ongoing advocacy critical to improving chronic disease patients’ quality of life and access to care. See if your state officially recognizes Chronic Disease Month.

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Stay engaged with updates, action items and educational opportunities as well as state specific requests to elevate the patient voice in your community.

Join The Fight
Contact your Local Leaders

Contact your Local Leaders

Voicing your support to elected leaders is one of the best ways to create meaningful policy change for chronic disease patients.

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Share Your Story

Share Your Story

We share your story with elected officials, the media and the general public to help educate people about what it’s like to live with a chronic disease and in turn, help influence law and policies across the nation.

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