Fibromyalgia Network - Symptoms, Treatment, Referrals & News. Myalgia. Fact%20Sheet. About AFSA, the American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association. The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association’s (AFSA) primary mission is to fund superior quality, scientific studies on fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), which is an extremely painful, fatiguing, and often debilitating medical condition.
Studies show that FMS affects 3-5% of the general population. By stepping up research on the causes and treatments for fibromyalgia, AFSA and its generous contributors are working together to make a substantial difference in the lives of millions. AFSA was formed as a 501(c)3 charity in 1994, at a time when the U.S. government was spending less than a penny a patient on fibromyalgia research.
While the government is becoming more involved in funding research, it often takes AFSA or other small funding charities to jump-start ideas that move in new directions.