Fibromyalgia – Fibro Blog

ANAHEIM, Calif — (26 April 2010) –” When your Italian mother tells you to write a song for her, you just do it!”

Christian recording artist Pasquale Talarico laughs when he recalls how he came to write “Vigil Song” at the request of his mother, Phyllis almost a year ago. According to Pasquale, his mother wanted a special song to play during last May’s National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day event hosted by the North Orange County Fibromyalgia Support Group, which Phyllis founded in 2000, and Cal State Fullerton’s Fibromyalgia Research & Education Center.

“She didn’t like any of the CDs I brought her, so she asked me a few days before the event at Cal State Fullerton to ‘just write a song,’” Pasquale smiled.

But, his young voice turns serious when he talks about fibromyalgia, the chronic pain illness that has affected his mother since her diagnosis in 2000.

“I wrote ‘Vigil Song’ for my mom,” explained Pasquale. “I’ve seen her struggles with fibromyalgia, and it can be very debilitating. But, my mom told me to write a song that’s about celebrating and embracing, well, life, just like she does! She is an amazing woman, and an even more amazing mother.”

Pasquale Talarico has been a singer-songwriter for over 15 years in both local music acts and national bands. He is currently the Director of Campus Ministry at Servite High School in Anaheim, and also the Coordinator of Worship at the school, as well as an active worship leader in the Catholic Church.

“Vigil Song” was recently adopted by the National Fibromyalgia Association as their official theme song and was re-recorded by National R&B Recording Artist Tony Terry to be performed on a national level.

On May 15, Terry and Talarico will sing “Vigil Song” at the National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Walk of FAME and Wellness Fair and Concert hosted by the NFA and Cal State Fullerton’s Research & Education Center.  For more information on the National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day event at Cal State Fullerton, click here.

For more information about Pasquale Talarico, visit his website at www.PasqualeTalarico.com.

Earlier today, the NFA coordinated a Blog Talk Radio interview with Dr. Victor Rosenfeld, who is Board Certified in Neurology and Sleep Medicine and is the Medical Director for Sleepmed of Santa Barbara. He has published numerous medical articles on topics in Sleep Medicine and Sleep Electrophysiology. He is a frequent medical lecturer on a broad range of disease states including Sleep Apnea, Restless Legs, Narcolepsy, Fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s, Epilepsy, Neuro-virology, and Migraine. His current research interest is in Chronic Pain and Fatigue and its relationship to sleep.

 This Blog Talk Radio interview also features Sue Ingebretson, author of the new book, “FibroWHYalgia.” Both Dr. Rosenfeld and Ms. Ingebretson will be speaking at the National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day event on May 15, 2010 at Cal State Fullerton. 

 Click here to listen to the show!

Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association, spoke on Blog Talk Radio yesterday about how to “Make Fibromyalgia Visible,” the NFA’s theme for this year’s National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, commemorated on May 12.

 Joining Lynne was Professor Jessie Jones, co-director of the Fibromyalgia Research and Education Center at California State University, Fullerton, which is also co-sponsoring National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day “Walk of FAME” with the NFA on May 15 at the campus. 

Click here to listen to the Blog Talk Radio show.

For more information on National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and the NFA’s May 15 Awareness Day event, click here.

Read about fibromyalgia and be automatically entered to win many great prizes, including the grand prize of a trip for two to Orange County, CA for the National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Event.

Here’s how you can win:

Click here to read the National Fibromyalgia Association’s FREE online magazine, Fibromyalgia AWARE.

By clicking through, you are automatically entered into the contest!  Winners will be selected randomly from all electronic tracking of magazine visits and will be announced on our website.  The contest ends on April 23, 2010.

Prizes include….

• A trip for two to Orange County, CA to attend the National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Event (trip for two includes round-trip airfare from any city in the U.S., a 3-day and 2-night hotel stay, and $250 in spending money).
• A $500 gift card to the Apple Store
• A $250 general use gift card
• A $50 general use gift card
• Plus many other great prizes including helpful books and videos on fibromyalgia

***By entering this contest, you agree to allow the National Fibromyalgia Association photograph you at Awareness Day 2010 and to use your image in promotional materials; you also agree to be interviewed about this contest, Awareness Day 2010, and your fibromyalgia experience for promotional purposes.

Many fibromyalgia activists want to play a role in National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day but may not be able to participate in a Walk of FAME.  But there are plenty of ways to be creative and help spread the “Make Fibromyalgia Visible” message in your own area!

For instance, ask your favorite restaurant to offer a special deal on Fibromyalgia Awareness Day to donate a certain percentage of every bill to the National Fibromyalgia Association. 

Applebee’s and California Pizza Kitchen have both participated in a dining bill donation program for the NFA in the past.  Call your local branch and ask to speak with the manager to discuss their participation in the 2010 National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day!  Or, try a different restaurant in your area!

Here are a few talking points to share with the restaurant manager:

• Fibromyalgia is a common and complex disorder that affects 3-5 percent of the population and is characterized by chronic widespread pain, multiple tender points, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbances, fatigue and often psychological distress.  
• National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is observed annually on May 12 with worldwide recognition and support.
• Proceeds will go to the National Fibromyalgia Association, which develops and executes programs to improve the lives of people affected by fibromyalgia. The NFA focuses on patient support and education, awareness outreach, healthcare provider education, patient advocacy and the facilitation of scientific research.

For other ideas on how to get involved with National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, click here.