Ankylosing spondylitis community set to ‘Lace Up’ for World AS Day
Annual awareness day event is held on the first Saturday of May
The Axial Spondyloarthritis International Foundation (ASIF) is encouraging members of the ankylosing spondylitis community to wear orange shoelaces as part of this Saturday’s “Lace Up for axSpA” annual World AS Day.
Held each year on the first Saturday of May, the event is designed to raise awareness about the disease and its related conditions. ASIF chose shoelaces to symbolize how axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), which includes ankylosing spondylitis, can make everyday challenges harder for people living with the disease.
“Even a seemingly simple task like tying shoelaces can become a significant hurdle for individuals experiencing the pain and limited mobility associated with this condition,” the ASIF states on its website. “By focusing on this relatable action, the theme invites everyone to better understand and empathize with the realities of living with axSpA, while inspiring collective efforts toward improved awareness, support, and care for those affected.”
A form of arthritis, or joint inflammation, axSpA primarily affects the spine. Sometimes, it causes damage to bones that’s visible on X-ray scans, which is referred to as ankylosing spondylitis. If someone has axSpA, but without damage visible on X-rays, they are said to have nonradiographic axSpA.
Rallying axSpA community to raise awareness
World AS Day events are being held online and in person around the globe, bringing together people in the axSpA community and spreading awareness about these conditions.
As part of the day, ASIF is partnering with the Spondylitis Association of America for the Global Spondyloarthritis Summit, an online event where medical experts discuss topics of interest to the community. This year’s summit, which starts Friday and runs through Saturday, will focus on comorbidities, that is, cooccurring health problems, such as heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis, that can affect people with axSpA. The summit is free and registration is available online.
ASIF also encourages community members to spread the word on social media, sharing their own stories and raising awareness about axSpA using the hashtags #WorldASDay2025, #LaceUpForAxSpA, and #EverydayChallenges.
“By sharing stories of resilience it builds connection. Understanding the campaign celebrates progress and hope, urging collective efforts to improve awareness, treatments, and strengthen support systems for individuals living with axSpA,” ASIF states.
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