The Deutsche Rheuma-Liga Berlin e.V., founded in 1975 by doctors and affected, is the biggest Berliner help & self-help community included into the health system, with a self-image of being a non-profit and democratic self-help association. The association's mission is to assist humans with chronic rheumatic illnesses in their daily lives. This happens in the association's therapy, counselling and self-help centre, regional Rheuma-Liga-meeting points, in approx. 90 self-help groups, by providing a versatile and close to home course programme and many other offers.