Corbin Bernsen, Partners Against Pain® and the University of Chicago Hospitals host consumer awareness program and unveil "Many Faces of Pain" photo exhibit

February 24, 2003

The "Many Faces of Pain" photo exhibition, part of a national tour paying tribute to the 50 million Americans who live with persistent pain, will be unveiled on March 13, 2003 following a consumer awareness program hosted by actor Corbin Bernsen and Dr. Friedl Pantle-Fisher, Director of the Pain Management Center at the University of Chicago. The "Many Faces of Pain" program and exhibit is sponsored by Partners Against Pain in collaboration with University of Chicago Hospitals, to raise awareness of the importance of appropriate pain management.

The "Many Faces of Pain" program will be held in the Atrium of the Center for Advanced Medicine (fourth floor) on March 13, with a reception following to view the exhibit. The photo exhibit will be available for public viewing daily in the Atrium of the Center for Advanced Medicine (fourth floor) from March 14 to March 20 or online at www.partnersagainstpain.com.

The exhibit features black and white photographs of people who have experienced persistent pain due to an illness or medical condition, but through appropriate pain management are now able to live relatively normal lives. Celebrities featured in the exhibit include Debbie Allen, Corbin Bernsen, Lynda Carter, Bo Derek, Karen Duffy, Olympia Dukakis, Mia Farrow, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Tony Randall, Christopher Reeve, Doris Roberts, Joe Theismann, and the late Robert Urich.

"One step in alleviating pain and suffering is to educate healthcare professionals about effective pain treatment modalities, encourage patients to communicate their pain complaints to their physicians and not suffer in silence, and make patients aware that they have the right to appropriate pain management," said Friedl Pantle-Fisher, M.D., "This can help give hope and spread the word that, in this day and age, people do not have to live with pain."

When persistent pain is not adequately treated, or is left untreated, it can lead to depression and hopelessness, loss of function and lost workdays. Persistent pain is caused by a wide range of specific illnesses or medical conditions. Many of these relate to musculoskeletal problems, which include lower, middle and upper back pain and arthritis. Headaches and nerve problems can also lead to persistent pain. In addition, pain can result from sports or work-related injuries, following surgery or as a result of a car accident.

According to a national survey commissioned by Partners Against Pain, 34 percent of people with pain feel they can't function as a normal human being, and 31 percent reported that they sometimes hurt so badly they don't want to go on living. Yet, 80 percent of patients surveyed thought that their pain was a normal part of their medical condition and something with which they must live.

"Pain can be managed," said Dr. Pantle-Fisher. "Patients need to communicate the severity and frequency of their pain experience, because this helps their physician or other healthcare professionals prescribe and utilize the most appropriate and effective pain management treatments and modalities available. Each sufferer has different needs, but all can be helped."

Partners Against Pain is an education program sponsored by Purdue Pharma.