Deutsche Rheuma-Liga Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V.
The
Die Deutsche Rheuma-Liga Nordrhein Westfalen e.V. is a significant patient organization and self-help community for people with rheumatic diseases in NRW. With around 30,000 members and 94 local locations, it is one of the largest health self-help associations in the region[5]. The organization is comprehensively committed to advising, supporting and informing those affected, their relatives and the social environment. Around 500 volunteers work in the local working groups, which are accompanied and supported by a full-time office in Essen[5].
The main mission of the Rheuma-Liga NRW is to improve the quality of life of people with rheumatic diseases through local care, self-help and advocacy. It sees itself as a strong patient organization that promotes both the medical and social concerns of its members. The long-standing commitment of those affected, doctors and social service providers in North Rhine-Westphalia has made a significant contribution to achieving significant progress in the care of rheumatism patients[2]. The organization relies on the idea of helping people to help themselves and actively promotes the participation of those affected in therapy, research and social participation.
The central services and offers include extensive advice, information materials, a Rheuma-Lexikon, a medical telephone service and special programs for young people with rheumatism and exercise offers that contribute to maintaining mobility[1]. In addition to pure patient care, the Rheuma-Liga NRW also supports research projects to improve the diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases and acts as an advocate at a political and social level.
The organization's values are characterized by solidarity, self-determination and democratic participation, as its commitment to socio-political issues shows. For example, it calls on its members to participate in elections in order to strengthen democratic processes and counteract exclusion and incitement[1].
In the area of sustainability, the Deutsche Rheuma-Liga Nordrhein Westfalen e.V. pursues the goal of ensuring that its offers are permanent and comprehensive in order to secure the care of people with rheumatic diseases in the long term. The focus is on maintaining and expanding local structures, voluntary work and close networking of all actors.
Overall, the Deutsche Rheuma-Liga Nordrhein Westfalen e.V. is a committed and competent organization that, with its holistic approach, supports patients, promotes scientific progress and is committed to an inclusive society without barriers.
