By: Samantha Littleton

In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Certified Fibromyalgia CoachⓇ Ann Garner and her daughter Lily (who also has fibromyalgia) met with Mayor Paul TenHaken to receive the mayor’s proclamation for Fibromyalgia Awareness Month in May 2025.

Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition affecting a significant number of people, is often shrouded in misunderstanding and stigma. Despite its substantial impact, fibromyalgia continues to receive limited attention in medical research and public awareness. Tami Stackelhouse, a dedicated advocate for fibromyalgia education and empowerment, is working toward changing that narrative—one proclamation at a time.

For 16 years, Tami, founder of the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute (IFCI), has been at the forefront of raising awareness and driving change for fibromyalgia patients. This May, as part of Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, she is part of a coalition focusing on securing a governor’s proclamation in every state to officially recognize Fibromyalgia Awareness Month and May 12th as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.

This coalition of organizations came together in 2024—including Tami’s Institute, the Fibromyalgia Association, Fibromyalgia National Health Organization, and Veteran Voices for Fibromyalgia—to successfully secure proclamations in 27 states.

The goal? To “paint the map purple” and encourage every state to acknowledge the struggles of millions living with fibromyalgia. The purple color is used as the official color for fibromyalgia awareness campaigns to symbolize the visibility of those affected by the condition.

The Power of Governor’s Proclamations

Governor’s proclamations may seem like small gestures, but they carry important significance in the fight for awareness. Official proclamations become part of the state record, highlighting the importance of the cause, raising the visibility of fibromyalgia, and serving as a foundation for further advocacy.

As Tami puts it, “When we can show our lawmakers that our governors have officially recognized this day, it lends real weight to our cause. It shows that we’re serious and demonstrates that fibromyalgia is a condition that deserves the attention of not only our government but also healthcare professionals and the general public.”

In 2024, a coalition of organizations, including the Fibromyalgia Association, Fibromyalgia National Health Organization, and Veteran Voices for Fibromyalgia, successfully secured proclamations in 27 states.

Now, in 2025, Tami and her team have their sights set on expanding that number. “We’re committed to having Fibromyalgia Awareness Month and Awareness Day recognized in every state,” says Tami. “We’re not there yet, but we’re closer than ever.”

The Need for Awareness and Funding

Fibromyalgia affects millions worldwide, yet it remains under-researched and often misdiagnosed. One of the most staggering statistics Tami highlights is the lack of research: “Fibromyalgia affects 17 times more people than rheumatoid arthritis, yet RA has 17 times the number of research articles published. This discrepancy is remarkable, and it’s a direct result of the lack of awareness.”

Fibromyalgia is currently tied for last place when it comes to published research in rheumatological journals. This lack of research results in a shortage of effective treatment options, inadequate healthcare provider education, and limited public understanding. Tami believes that increased awareness—such as through state proclamations—can potentially lead to increased research funding, better treatment options, and more informed healthcare providers.

“The more we raise awareness, the more we can secure the funding needed for research, and that’s how we’ll find better treatments. We need the public to understand that fibromyalgia is a real disease, not just a ‘women’s issue’ or something that’s purely psychological. It’s a systemic condition that requires greater attention.”

Coordinated Efforts to “Paint the Map Purple”

In partnership with organizations like the Fibromyalgia Association, Fibromyalgia National Health Organization, and Veteran Voices for Fibromyalgia, Tami and her team have worked tirelessly to coordinate efforts to secure proclamations across the country. What began as separate, siloed efforts has now blossomed into a unified initiative, including more states through Tami’s network of Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® and Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® graduates.

Tami credits much of the progress to Melissa Swanson, a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® and blogger at Fibro Warriors ~ Living Life, who has been spearheading the effort to coordinate with local advocates. “It’s been a huge team effort,” Tami explains. “Melissa has been invaluable in organizing and simplifying the process. We’ve made it as easy as possible for people to help. Even if you don’t have fibromyalgia, you can still help by submitting a proclamation request in your state.”

Thanks to these efforts, the map is gradually filling up with purple states—each one representing an official proclamation of Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. As of 2025, applications have been submitted to 40 states, with proclamations being approved in 25 states so far. Tami’s team is working to secure proclamations in the remaining states.

How You Can Help

Tami is calling on the fibromyalgia community to help support efforts to ensure that every state participates in this important movement. “If you live in a state where we don’t yet have a proclamation, we would greatly appreciate your help. You don’t even need to have fibromyalgia to be part of this—you just need to live in the state where you’re requesting the proclamation.”

For those who want to get involved, Tami’s team has worked to simplify the process. “We’ve made the steps as clear as possible,” says Melissa Swanson. “We provide all the instructions, the suggested language, and the support to help you contribute with minimal effort. It should only take about 5-10 minutes of your time.” Those interested in helping can reach out to the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute (IFCI) or the Fibromyalgia Podcast® for more information on how to submit a proclamation request.

A Growing Movement

With every proclamation secured, the movement to raise awareness and empower fibromyalgia patients grows stronger. “This is not just about a piece of paper,” says Tami. “It’s about showing the world that fibromyalgia is real, that it deserves attention, and that the people who live with it deserve to be heard.”

As the Fibromyalgia Awareness Month and International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day approach, Tami’s vision is clear: to make fibromyalgia visible, to ensure its recognition at the state and national levels, and ultimately, to drive the funding needed for research and treatment.

To learn more about how you can help or to follow Tami’s progress, visit FibromyalgiaPodcast.com or FibromyalgiaCoachingInstitute.com.

Let’s paint the map purple together.

Published by Joseph T.