Arthritis Foundation (AF) works to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis and related diseases.

Description:
The Northern California Chapter is located in San Francisco and serves 16 counties--from the Oregon border to Carmel--including:

Del Norte
Humboldt
Mendocino
Sonoma
Lake
Napa
Solano
Marin
Contra Costa
Alameda
San Francisco
San Mateo
Santa Clara
San Benito
Santa Cruz; and
Monterey.

In 2004, the Chapter provided roughly $1.2 million in research and fellowships primarily at UCSF and Stanford University. Additionally, four percent of every dollar was spent on management & administration and 14 percent on fundraising--i.e., 82 percent of every dollar goes to research and programs for people with arthritis.

History:
Established in 1948, AF is a volunteer-driven, national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for over 100 types of arthritis including:

rheumatoid arthritis
osteoarthritis
lupus
ankylosing spondylitis
gout
fibromylagia; and
carpal tunnel syndrome.

Arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases - many of which include joint and organ inflammation - whose common denominators are chronic pain and loss of mobility.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these diseases affect 70 million people in the US. Arthritis affects 1 in 3 Americans and is the #1 cause of disability in the US. Of those individuals, women with arthritis outnumber men three to one. 2 million people in Northern California have some form of arthritis. Arthritis affects people of all ages, including 300,000 children - more than diabetes, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and sickle cell anemia combined. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the most common chronic illnesses of children.

Arthritis limits everyday activities such as walking, dressing and bathing for more than 7 million Americans. Arthritis attacks the ability to lead a normal life, it inflicts pain, it can disable and it can kill. In 2002, the cost to the US economy of arthritis was $125 billion - $43 billion in direct medical expense and $82 billion in lost productivity. Arthritis accounts for 427 million days of restricted activity, 156 million days in bed and 45 million days lost from work. In 2002, there were 750,000 hospitalizations and 36 million outpatient visits (doctor, urgent care, clinic, etc.) due to arthritis.

The need is great and AF needs great people to volunteer to make a difference in the lives of people living with these diseases.

Contact person: Victoria Bruno, Director Of Community Programs, (phone), (email)

Address:

657 Mission Street, Suite 603 San Francisco, CA 94105 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.arthritis.org/Communities/Chapters/Chapter.asp?chapid=33

Directions:

1-80 to SF, Fremont exit. Turn left on Mission.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Montgomery BART/MUNI Station (Market & Montgomery). Exit at New Montgomery, walk two blocks and turn right on Mission Street.,   Walk distance (in minutes): 3-5   Nearest Bus Stop: SF Muni Lines: 9 San Bruno, 9x San Bruno, 15 Third, 14 L/14x Mission Limited Express, 30 Stockton, 45 Union – Stockton, 71/ 71 L Haight – Noriega, 80 x – 81 Caltrain Express and the J, K, L, M, N street cars, 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	No others
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	18
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	No
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	No