Our Roots

The mission of the Fibromyalgia Care Society of America (FCSA) is to provide education, care and supportive services to individuals living with fibromyalgia, their families and the community at large. FCSA will also work to educate medical providers on the appropriate diagnostic, care and treatment of those living with this condition.

Founded in 2015, the Fibromyalgia Care Society of America (FCSA) is devoted to revolutionizing how fibromyalgia is cared for in this country by introducing a comprehensive holistic approach to care, family supports and support groups. The organization was founded by Mildred Velez, who has been living with fibromyalgia since 2007, in response to the lack of direct services for those living with fibromyalgia and to the dearth of dedicated medical care and support. Mildred, along with a dedicated board of trustees, has developed a concise and direct approach to helping those living with fibromyalgia and their families.

The FCSA is committed to the highest standard of care and services that also promotes equality in care so that everyone living with fibromyalgia is able to take advantage of care regardless of their socioeconomic status and geographical location. The FCSA is committed to a holistic and cutting-edge approach to services, which will be offered through three key areas: Centers of Excellence, Fibro Care and Empowerment Groups.

Milly Velez, President and Executive Director

Mildred was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. Prior to her 18th birthday she was able to check off all 10 points on a psychological assessment tool that gauges childhood trauma. She has survived rape, domestic violence and homelessness. Her life experiences have propelled her to advocate for social and racial justice causes. Her career began in 1997 at a drop in center for homeless young people ages 13-24. Mildred went on to lead the operations department of a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ youth shelter in New York City from 2002-2020. In 2015, she founded the FCSA in response to the lack of services for the fibromyalgia community. She is committed to using her personal and professional experiences to bring support, care and hope to everyone living with fibromyalgia and their families.

Mildred lives with her adult children and granddaughter in the West Ward of the City of Newark, New Jersey.

Our Strategic Vision

The strategic vision for the Fibromyalgia Care Society of America is influenced by the understanding that a) fibromyalgia education within the medical community is inconsistent and largely uninformed b) individuals living with fibromyalgia have limited amount of medical services to access that is greatly influenced by their ability to afford for non-traditional holistic care and c) support groups and services available to the community are minimally effective and do not truly offer the individual living with fibromyalgia a tangible resource or continuum of care.