Spondylitis Association of America (SAA) was founded in 1983 by people affected by ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved. It normally occurs in younger people, between the ages of 17 and 45. Prior to that time, there was no support network, no resource for educational materials, not even a single pamphlet for people diagnosed with the disease. SAA was the first and remains the largest resource in the United States for people seeking information on AS and related diseases. Our mission is to be a leader in the quest to cure AS and related diseases, and to empower those affected to live life to the fullest.