Nearly one million people are living with the condition in Ireland, including 1,200 children. There are over 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions, such as osteoarthritis rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lupus. Arthritis Ireland delivers its very successful self-management programmes, Living Well with Arthritis and Breaking the Pain Cycle, as well as organising coping skills workshops, healthy eating and nutrition classes, physiotherapy-led exercise classes, walking groups, adapted seated exercises, water therapy and support groups. Arthritis Ireland also operates a helpline and online fora which are valuable sources of trusted information for people. "Fundraising income at the charity has been significantly impacted over the past 2 years by the pandemic," said CEO Grainne O’Leary. “The extraordinary generosity of the public enables us to deliver services for people with arthritis all over the country".

Siobhan Donohoe