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Press Releases (.pdf):

New PSA Featuring Jack Coleman (May 08)

First Annual Women in Pain Conference (Feb 08)

Women in Pain Awareness Month in California (Jan 07)

For Grace Broadens Its Mission (Dec 06)

RSD Education Bill Vetoed by CA Governor (Oct 05)

Champion of Women in Pain Talks to ABC News (May 05)

Response to Paula Abdul's Diagnosis of Chronic Pain Disorder (Apr 05)

Upcoming & What’s New
Many wonderful things are happening at For Grace. Here are some of the most recent... and soon to be. (Please see links to the left.)

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center

Downey, CA--September 30, 2008
Diversity lecture, "Women In Pain: Gender Matters"

For Grace Champions Pain Awareness Month in California

September 2008
For the 5th consecutive year, For Grace has sponsored a resolution proclaiming September as Pain Awareness Month in the Golden State. This year we worked with Senator Carole Migden (D-3rd District) who authored the resolution, SR 33. We at For Grace extend a heartfelt thank you to the many California legislators and staffers who despite unforeseen difficulties made this proclamation happen just two days before all adjourned for the year!
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ABC News & For Grace Team Up to Promote Pain Resource

August 2008
ABC News called upon Cynthia to be featured in their OnCall+ Pain Management website promotional video. The promo also features medical experts along with ABC News staff, and is currently being seen by many network executives and advertisers. Please link here to utilize this extraordinary resource.
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Toussaint Featured in New Pain Advocacy Resource

July 2008
For Grace encourages women in pain to access a great, new advocacy resource, "In the Face of Pain", to bring to your community awareness of the pain gender divide through media, legislation and civic groups. WIP-- take action and be heard today!
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View Our New WIP Public Service Announcement!

June 2008
Thrilled to announce that our new Women In Pain PSA is now available for viewing. This 30 second spot, titled "Unsung Heroes", features actor Jack Coleman, star of NBC's hit drama, "Heroes". In the PSA, Jack delivers our message about the pain gender divide to the world! Please link here to view (QuickTime Video)
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Inaugural Women In Pain Conference: Gender Matters

Duarte, CA--May 30, 2008
For Grace partnered with Southern California Cancer Pain Initiative and City of Hope to hold the first annual Women In Pain conference. We assembled a world-class roster of speakers/presenters, along with performers/artists, who educated and inspired women in pain and their health care providers. Please see a post-conference article that appeared in City of Hope's Hope News.
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KABC7 Coverage of WIP Conference May 2008

Proclamations Trumpet Women In Pain Conference

May 30th, 2008
  • CA State Senator Sheila Kuehl has proclaimed May 30, 2008 "Women In Pain Awareness Day" in California. There was an announcement on the Senate floor. Read Senator Kuehl's congratulations letter
  • LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky did the same in LA County. There was an announcement at a supervisor's meeting.
  • LA City Councilmember Wendy Greuel did the same in LA City. Greuel and Toussaint made a presentation at LA City Hall on May 16th. This was broadcast citywide via channel LA CityView 35.
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    For Grace Collaborates with ABC News

    April 2008
    For Grace is now a contributing consultant for ABCNews.com as they're currently covering many stories about pain and its management. Our first collaboration was with an article that ran on April 9th entitled, "Healing Meals: Foods That Might Fight Pain." Link here to see article. And link here to see our second collaboration, "Killer Jobs: 10 Painful Professions" (May 19th). Please watch for many more to come...
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    Discovery Health Channel’s Mystery Diagnosis

    October 2005 — Currently Airing
    (Picked-up by The Learning Channel & Home and Health Worldwide) “Issac’s Nightmare” (QuickTime video) For Grace founder Cynthia Toussaint's journey with RSD is the focus of a segment that is airing on Discovery Health's Mystery Diagnosis show. Told from four different perspectives, this segment provides an in-depth look into the full RSD experience.
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    Mystery Diagnosis Parts One & Two

    For Grace Tunes into YouTube

    March 2008
    Please visit our YouTube site to view For Grace's most recent videos about conditions that impact women in pain. Also, we continue to add pain-related videos as they become available through YouTube and other organizations. Please click here to view: youtube.com/ForGrace
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    Toussaint Guest Contributor on “Dancing With Pain” Blog

    February 2008
    Ms. Toussaint is an ongoing contributor on Loolwa Khazzoom's new "Dancing With Pain" blog. Please see Cynthia's posts about "Abandonment Issues" and "Healing Dance."

    Founder Cinches Collaboration Deal with Best-Selling Author

    February 2008
    Cynthia Toussaint signed a contract with a national best-selling author to pen a book proposal. Her memoir, tentatively titled Battle for Grace, will focus on her 25 year fight to survive and prevail over her devastating chronic pain experience. Cynthia’s life-partner John Garrett’s reflections will be uniquely woven throughout, providing a voice for the often over-looked caregiver challenges. Once this phase of the project concludes, Ms. Toussaint's literary agents will work to procure a publishing deal and movie option. For Grace is excited about the women in pain awareness outcome of these efforts.
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    Los Angeles County Commission for Women

    Los Angeles, CA--January 24, 2008
    Speaking engagement

    Women of Courage Award Luncheon with ABC7

    Glendale, CA--October 27, 2007
    Our founder, Cynthia Toussaint, was one of the awardees of this accolade presented annually to women making strides in the health arena. Cynthia was nominated by the Los Angeles County Office of Women's Health for her work at For Grace. She attended the Women of Courage luncheon at ABC7 where she and her efforts to better the lives of all women in pain were profiled.
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    Human Trafficking: Implications for Women and their Health

    Los Angeles, CA--October 10, 2007

    For Grace Trumpets Pain Awareness Month in California for the Fourth Consecutive Year

    September 2007
    This year For Grace teamed with State Assemblymember Nell Soto to officially proclaim September as Pain Awareness Month in the Golden State. HR 15 "calls upon all Californians to observe this month by participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities and by learning how to improve the quality of life for people in California suffering from pain." September, due to the efforts of Partners for Understanding Pain, has now been recognized nationwide as the month to acknowledge pain as a major health issue in the country.
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    101 Ideas for Women In Pain to Survive & Thrive!

    August 2007
    For Grace has assembled a comprehensive list of actions women can take to help gain control over their pain. Categorized by self-care, assertiveness, clinical advice and on-line resources, these easy-to-use, practical ideas will smooth the ripples of any challenging pain day!

    For Grace Founder Rallies Awareness for Universal Healthcare

    August 11, 2007
    To help ensure the ethical and equal treatment of all women in pain, Cynthia Toussaint spoke at a rally sponsored by OneCareNow.org held at Los Angeles City Hall. Cynthia shared her failed healthcare story, speaking out in favor of California Senator Sheila Kuehl's single-payer univeral healthcare bill (SB 840). Other speakers included Lily Tomlin, Lt. Governor John Garamendi and Delores Huerta.
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    For Grace Endorses National Pain Act

    July 2007
    For Grace is a proud endorsee of the 2007 Consensus Statement for the National Pain Care Policy Act. For more information, please visit the American Pain Foundation website.
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    For Grace Goes Live with Revised Website

    July 2007
    Marking an evolution in our organization's history, For Grace launched a revised website reflecting our expanded mission "to ensure the ethical and equal treatment of all women in pain." We're thrilled to be moving forward with an effort that spotlights this critical, emerging health issue. Cheers to change!

    Los Angeles County Women’s Health Policy Summit

    Los Angeles, CA—May 24, 2007

    2nd Annual Pain Management in Women over the Lifecycle

    San Diego, CA—April 26-28, 2007
    For Grace exhibit

    Cedars-Sinai Women’s Health Conference

    Los Angeles, CA—March 16, 2007

    Founder’s Story Featured in Woman’s Day

    March 2007
    For Grace is pleased to announce that our founder, Cynthia Toussaint, was featured in the health section of the March 6th issue of Woman's Day. The article authored in first-person and entitled “My Mystery Disease” chronicled Cynthia's 14-year struggle to find her RSD diagnosis – and the choices as a woman in pain she made to find better health and well-being. This story reached 20 million readers across the nation, raising further awareness of chronic pain as a major health concern. Download article as .pdf (510k).
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    For Grace Launches WIP Awareness Boutique on Cafe Press

    Need that special item to empower women in pain in your community? Please visit For Grace’s WIP Awareness shop at http://www.cafepress.com/forgrace to peruse an assortment of quality items to do just the trick! (Note: no proceeds from sales go to For Grace as prices cover cost only.)
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