The Arthritis Foundation is calling for people to take action against arthritis by participating in the 2008 Arthritis Walk. The annual nationwide event kicks off in May during national Arthritis Month, raising funds and awareness to fight arthritis, one of the nation’s leading causes of disability. The Concord Arthritis Walk will take place on September 27, 2008 at J. W. (Mickey) McGee Park in Concord, NC. To get involved or form a walk team, visit here or call 704-529-5166. Arthritis is more widespread than imagined, affecting 46 million Americans, or one out of five adults and nearly 300,000 children. Here in North Carolina arthritis affects more than 1 million people.
“The Arthritis Foundation is here to help people with arthritis take a more active role in managing their disease. Participating in the Arthritis Walk can be a first step toward the healthy lifestyle that may help prevent or control arthritis,” said John H. Klippel, M.D., president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation.
The Arthritis Walk takes place in communities nationwide each May in conjunction with National Arthritis Month. There are more than 400 local Arthritis Walks, each featuring a three-mile and one-mile course. Participants can walk for a friend or a family member with arthritis, while people with arthritis wear blue hats to signify they are walking to take control of their arthritis. In many areas, pet owners are invited to bring their leashed dogs to walk with them at the event.
Raegan Cupp is 4 years old and resides in Mount Holly, NC with her parents Paul and Kari and her younger sister Avery (2 yrs old). Raegan was diagnosed with JRA in 2005. She began to first exhibit symptoms such as stiffness, fever, rash, and joint swelling shortly after receiving her 1 year old immunizations, but was not diagnosed until nearly a year later after countless tests and doctors visits.. Raegan is currently under the care of a pediatric rheumatologist at UNC Chapel Hill Children’s Hospital. We make the 2 ½ hour trip to Chapel Hill approximately every 8 weeks. Sometimes sooner should there be any problems arise. Raegan requires daily oral medication to keep her pain and inflammation at bay. It has been quite a process to get to this point. Not only has she experienced pain and inflammation, but the whole process has taken a toll on her small body and made her very prone to sickness. But what a difference her medication has made! Join Reagan and her family as they Walk to find a Cure for a disease that they are faced with everyday.
In 2007, more than 75,000 walkers participated and helped raise money to fund arthritis research, health education and government advocacy efforts to improve the lives of those living with arthritis.
The national sponsors for the Arthritis Foundation Arthritis Walk are Nature Made® TripleFlex™, Pfizer Animal Health Rimadyl, Biomet and Arthritis Today magazine.
The Arthritis Foundation is the only nationwide, not-for-profit health organization helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases. For more information on arthritis, to volunteer or to build an Arthritis Walk team, visit here or call 704-529-5166.
© 2008