The American Pain Foundation announced that it is accepting a gracious offer from the National Pain Foundation of a transfer of key assets. This transfer, which includes web content, program and membership materials, a pain health care provider directory, and the John C. Oakley Memorial Fund, will occur over the next six months with an anticipated completion date of May 2010, at which point the National Pain Foundation will cease all operations.

The National Pain Foundation was established in 1998 to improve the quality of life for those living with pain, through information, education, and support that connect persons with pain to each other and to those who can help. The American Pain Foundation was invited to integrate the National Pain Foundation’s assets due to synergies in mission and organizational structure. The decision to transfer the assets was made by the National Pain Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The contributions of the National Pain Foundation to the pain community will have a legacy at the American Pain Foundation, the largest consumer pain advocacy organization in the United States. National Pain Foundation “legacy” programs will be recognized on the American Pain Foundation’s website. The combined membership of the two organizations will be an estimated 100,000 people.

“We are honored to be the repository of important program materials and resources that have been designed to serve people with pain and their loved ones. The National Pain Foundation’s efforts and hard work will live on at the American Pain Foundation. These materials will complement existing American Pain Foundation materials without being redundant, and we look forward to featuring them on our Web site over the coming months,” said Will Rowe, CEO, American Pain Foundation.

“The board of directors of the National Pain Foundation believes that it is vital to recognize the work and contributions of its dedicated volunteers and staff members during the past decade in serving the pain community. It was our wish to see this work live on that led us to select the American Pain Foundation as the recipient of the National Pain Foundation’s educational programs and materials. Through this transfer, people with pain can continue to benefit from thoughtful, quality resources,” said Albert Ray, MD, National Pain Foundation Board Chairman.

About the American Pain Foundation
Founded in 1997, the American Pain Foundation is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization serving people with pain through information, advocacy and support. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people with pain by raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research and advocating to remove barriers and increase access to effective pain management. For more information, visit www.painfoundation.org.