Western PA Press Rheum

Let’s Move Together: ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION LAUNCHES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MOVEMENT TO PREVENT AND TREAT ARTHRITIS

News from the Arthritis Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Emily Cope

Western Pennsylvania Chapter

(412) 566-1645 ext. 1103

ecope@arthritis.org

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION LAUNCHES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MOVEMENT TO PREVENT AND TREAT ARTHRITIS

Let’s Move Together Aims to Unite Americans

in Fighting the Nation’s Most Common Disability

Pittsburgh, Pa. – January 6, 2009 –The Arthritis Foundation’s Western Pennsylvania Chapter today announces the upcoming launch of Let’s Move Together, a nationwide movement created to improve the quality of life of the one-in-five Americans living with arthritis.  Let’s Move Together officially launches on January 12, 2009, a day deemed “Movement Monday” by the Arthritis Foundation.

Let’s Move Together is designed to inspire people to move every day to prevent or treat arthritis. The movement encourages everyone to engage in daily physical activity for better health and to participate in their local Arthritis Walk—an annual event that promotes fun and fitness.  The 2009 Arthritis Walk in Pittsburgh is on May 9, 2009 at Kennywood Amusement Park.

Over one million Western Pennsylvanians are affected by arthritis and Pennsylvania ranks number five in the country for the number of people with arthritis. By the year 2030, an estimated 67 million people in the U.S. will be affected by arthritis, up from current estimates of 46 million.  Even more alarming is the fact that the prevalence of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, continues to rise even though it can often be prevented by staying active through enjoyable physical activities.

“Physical activity, such as walking, is crucial to managing joint pain, improving mobility and reducing fatigue often associated with arthritis,” said David Martin, Western Pennsylvania Chapter Executive Director. “It is our hope that the Let’s Move Together movement will lead people to take action, both to improve their own lives and the lives of others with arthritis.”

People can learn more about Let’s Move Together by contacting the Western Pennsylvania Chapter at (412) 566-1645 or visiting www.letsmovetogether.org, where they can also join the movement.  The web site offers exercise tips and other suggestions on ways to creatively incorporate movement into daily activities. For instance, visitors can find links to the Arthritis Foundation Life Improvement Series programs offered locally throughout Western Pennsylvania to help people become active through arthritis-friendly exercise. The site also showcases uplifting stories of people who are battling arthritis by staying active, features a physical activity tracker to help keep you moving all year, and provides information about the Pittsburgh Arthritis Walk on May 9, 2009.  Visitors can even read a blog from others participating in the movement or contribute to message boards on a variety of movement-related topics.

“While many people think about arthritis during Arthritis Awareness Month in May, Let’s Move Together reminds people that it is important to move every day, not just once a year,” Martin said.  “By launching this movement on January 12, we hope that people will commit to daily physical activity and continue to move together with the foundation throughout 2009.”

About Let’s Move Together:

Let’s Move Together is a nationwide movement led by the Arthritis Foundation that encourages people to move to prevent or treat arthritis. Moving just 30 minutes daily, even 10 to 15 minutes at a time, can ease joint pain, improve mobility and reduce fatigue often associated with arthritis. Daily movement also can improve the quality of life of the 46 million Americans living with arthritis. Let’s Move Together is a call to action: commit to the 2009 Arthritis Walk, the signature annual fundraising event of the Arthris Foundation, and move daily for better health. Start moving today: visit www.letsmovetogether.org.

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in Atlanta, the Arthritis Foundation has multiple service points located throughout the country.

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380 million in research grants since 1948.  The foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. Information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-283-7800 or www.arthritis.org.

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