Stand Up and Stand Together Against Migraine
Migraine might be invisible, but the men, women and children living with this disease every day are not. It is time we all stand up, and stand together to bring migraine out of the darkness. The American Migraine Foundation invites the over 1 billion people worldwide living with migraine to join in the fight against this disabling disease, because when we stand together, no one stands alone.
Raise Your Hand
Advocacy Projects From the Emerging Advocate Program
People with migraine are taking ownership of advocating for themselves and others through the Emerging Advocate Program. Here are some projects that our Emerging Advocates created in 2021:
- Empowering College Students Living With Migraine – a two-phase plan to help students with migraine get the appropriate accommodations
- #WhatAboutMe - a social media initiative to raise awareness of the inaccessibility issue of FDA-approved migraine-specific medications
- Migraine in the ER - a project to ensure a more compassionate treatment to migraine patients in the ER
We are excited to see what projects our Emerging Advocates think of this year.
Supported in part by sponsorship from:
Video Library
The Importance of Advocacy
Learn more about the different types of advocacy that patients, caregivers and physicians can practice to move against migraine.
Spotlight on Emerging Advocates
Read about all the ways our Advocates and graduates of the Emerging Advocate Program are raising awareness for migraine.
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Terri Battenburg
"Advocacy work has helped too. I’ve partnered with the American Migraine Foundation to raise greater awareness around living with migraine, as well as the need for more research funding. I do a lot of personal research on migraine and regularly go to my doctor with a list of questions about what we should be doing to better understand this disease." -
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Brandy Hartley
"If my kids want to, I let them sit in on calls with my doctor or come to appointments with me. If they have a question for my doctor, I invite them to ask. Sometimes my kids even remember my symptoms more accurately than I do. Just recently, my daughter spoke up during an appointment to mention a symptom that I actually had forgotten about." -
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Danielle Fancher
Danielle Newport Fancher, 34, first started getting migraine attacks when she was 16. Then, in October 2013, when she was 25, she developed intractable migraine, which is classified as having a migraine attack lasting more than 72 hours. She describes it as feeling like she woke up one day with a migraine that just never fully went away. -
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Rachel Bennetts-Wu
"When I was growing up, I felt like I didn’t know anyone else who had migraine. But now there are more and more resources, and it’s getting better every year." -
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Joe Coe
Joe Coe educates others on migraine through his podcast Talking Head Pain. There's so much help and support out there, he says.
Understanding Advocacy
Download Library
Taking Action
Find the tools and resources to help advocate for yourself, your loved ones and your community. All of the American Migraine Foundation’s guides are free to download, doctor-verified and designed with patients in mind.
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Download
Talking to Your Doctor about Migraine
Your head hurts constantly. You can't explain the accompanying symptoms. You suspect you have migraine. It's time to talk to your healthcare provider. This guide will help you start the conversation with your doctor so that you receive the care you need. From setting goals to describing pain, this guide maps out the conversation with your doctor. -
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How to Support Someone with Migraine
You don't have to be a neurologist to know how to support someone in your life who is living with migraine. There are several ways to show your loved one living with migraine that you're there for them on the good days and the bad. -
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Migraine at Work
Each year in the United States, 113 million workdays are lost due to migraine. We outlined the series of steps you need to take to make sure the conversation you have with your boss about your migraine is a positive experience and results in a solution that works for everyone. -
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Seeking Medical Help for Your Migraine
A headache specialist can become an important member of your support team from diagnosing your specific kind of migraine to creating a custom treatment plan. Our introductory guide will help you determine if it's time to make your first appointment, when you should go and what you can do to prepare for your visit. -
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How to Provide Accommodations for Children with Migraine at School
Dealing with pediatric migraine can significantly affect a child's ability to focus in class and keep up with their peers. However, a few key accommodations can make a big difference, helping the child manage their migraine and allowing them a chance to thrive. Our guide offers tips to help parents and schools work together to offer the best possible experience for children living with migraine.
Helpful Links
Advocacy Resources from our Partners
Advocate in D.C. with Headache on the HillFiling an insurance complaint by HMPFDeclaration of Rights for People with Headache DiseasesCHAMP Headache and Migraine Disease Language and Image GuideShades for Migraine's Volunteer RegistryResources for Political Advocacy
How to Contact Your RepresentativeHow to Contact Your SenatorFind a Town Hall Event Near YouTrack Legislation
Get Connected
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