Arthritis Foundation, Western PA Vice-Chair Wins National Addie Thomas Service Award at American College of Rheumatology Conference – Congrats to Jane Brandestein – by Ashley Boynes, Community Development Director, WPA Chapter
October 27, 2009 at 5:36 pm | Posted in Arthritis Advocacy, National News | Leave a commentTags: Addie Thomas, AFWPA, American College of Rheumatology, Arthritis, Arthritis Foundation, Arthritis Foundation of Western PA, Ashley Boynes, Award, Conference, Jane Brandenstein, news, Pittsburgh, Programs, Service Award, Volunteer, Western PA Chapter, Western PA Events, Western PA News, Western Pennsylania, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, WPA Chapter
Every year the American College of Rheumatology holds a national conference. This year, the annual meeting was held in Philadelphia during the 3rd week of October. The ACR is a scientific meeting featuring keynote speakers, research presentations, and more. They also recognize worthy individuals in different fields related to arthritis and rheumatic disease, and give out a variety of awards to these deserving individuals, who hail from all over our great nation.
During the Saturday evening kickoff of this year’s conference, our very own Jane Brandenstein was awarded the distinguished ARHP Addie Thomas Service Award.
This award recognizes individuals who have been an active volunteer with local, regional and even national arthritis-related activities. Jane Brandenstein, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, currently sits on the Arthritis Foundation of Western Pennsylvania’s Board of Directors as Vice-Chair and, next year, will become the Chairperson of the Board.
Jane has an extensive history of volunteering and service. She genuinely flourishes as she helps others and spreads arthritis awareness. She is particularly concerned with promoting the importance of exercise, physical activity, and overall wellness.
Jane has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 1965 and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals since the 1980’s. She has been a valued member of The Arthritis Foundation, Western PA Chapter, since 1982. Additionally, she has been chosen as a part of the national Arthritis Foundation “Flying Squad” Training Group, where she teaches exercise training to arthritis instructors who offer helpful classes to those suffering from arthritis. Jane is also a member of the US Power Squadrons, where she teaches safe boating classes. She has given presentations for the Annual Scientific Meeting, the Rehabilitation Training Network, the Scleroderma Foundation National Meeting, PSS Support Groups, and University of Pittsburgh Physical Therapy Classes.
Additionally, she is involved with the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, as well as the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program. She not only leads these programs, but teaches new instructors and trainers on a local and national level. Jane also serves as a member of the Speaker’s Bureau, traveling the Western Pennsylvania region speaking on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation, WPA Chapter. Her presentation of “Arthritis 101” is the foundation’s most popular.
Jane has been certified as an Arthritis Foundation leader and trainer for the Arthritis Foundation Exercise and Self-Help Programs. Under Jane’s tutelage, hundreds of program leaders currently teach these classes in local and regional communities, helping individuals of all ages lead better lives despite the disabling effects of arthritis. Jane is an ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation through her countless speaking engagements. Her help with the chapter’s “Family Days” with Children’s Hospital has helped bring awareness to our “Kid’s Get Arthritis, Too” program and has helped families and children deal with this disease. She has demonstrated a commitment to many other organizations in the areas of health, wellness and advocacy for physical activity.
In addition to having her plate full with all of the above volunteer and outreach efforts, Jane also was featured as one of our inaugural Arthritis Radio guests. She is a close friend of our chapter’s. She’s certainly gone a step above and beyond in her personal and professional development by giving back and by being an inspiration to the community that she serves. Jane cares about the causes that are close to her heart and makes sure to create awareness by reaching out to the community and educating others. Her passion reaches both near and far, as she strives to provide outreach on both local and national levels, for all ages. She cares about helping others, and about teaching people to help themselves. Jane is dedicated to the importance of physical activity and hopes to educate others on this importance so that they can improve upon the quality of their lives. Jane is a woman who is wholeheartedly dedicated to the organizations that she belongs to, and she is devoted to the people who she serves. Jane is an inspiration to all whose lives she touches.
We congratulate her on her successes and in winning the esteemed Addie Thomas Service Award. Her national recognition has been well-earned. Please join us in congratulating our very own Jane Bradenstein on earning national acknowledgment for all of her hard work through the years. We appreciate it and are proud that she is a part of the AFWPA Family!
To see Jane’s photo and “blurb” in the online American College of Rheumatology 2009 Annual Meeting Program, click here
To listen to Jane’s podcast on the importance of physical activity click: ARTHRITIS RADIO.
To learn more about the American College of Rheumatology Annual Conference click here.
Thanks for reading, and stay well!
- Ashley Boynes
Community Development Director
Western Pennsylvania Chapter
Arthritis Foundation Western Pennsylvania advocates for funding in Harrisburg
October 23, 2009 at 6:06 pm | Posted in Arthritis Advocacy | Leave a commentTags: advocacy, AFWPA, Arthritis, Arthritis Advocacy, Arthritis Foundation, Awareness, Budget, David Martin, Funding, Harrisburg, Lori Knapp, news, PA State Budget, Pennsylvania, Western PA Chapter, Western PA News, Western Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania Chapter
Arthritis Foundation Western Pennsylvania advocates for funding in Harrisburg
PITTSBURGH, June 25, 2009 – Arthritis Foundation Western Pennsylvania Chapter Executive Director David Martin and Lori Knapp, new Director of Community Development of Westmoreland County, recently traveled to the Harrisburg to advocate for arthritis-related state funding.
Currently, arthritis program funding is not included in the proposed Pennsylvania budget; although, the General Assembly is reviewing all of the line items of the Budget, which includes arthritis program funding. Arthritis Foundation representative traveled to the state capitol to remind Western Pennsylvania’s political leaders how vital state funding is to the Arthritis Foundation. This critical funding allows the Arthritis Foundation to implement needed arthritis programs and services in communities across Western Pennsylvania. As the prevalence of arthritis grows, the reach of helpful arthritis programs needs to expand as well, ensuring that individuals get the education they need to best manage the pain of arthritis.
During their time at the state capitol, Martin and Knapp were able to meet with a number of political figures:
|
The Arthritis Foundation Western Pennsylvania Chapter would like to invite all citizens affect by arthritis to write these Senators and Representatives to thank them for keeping arthritis funding in mind.
Let’s Move Together: ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION LAUNCHES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MOVEMENT TO PREVENT AND TREAT ARTHRITIS
October 23, 2009 at 5:57 pm | Posted in AFWPA News, Arthritis Advocacy, Press Release | Leave a commentTags: AFWPA, Arthritis, Arthritis Foundation, Emily Cope, Let's Move Together, news release, Pennsylvania, Physical Activity, Pittsburgh, PR, Press Release, Western PA News, Western Pennsylvania Chapter
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.
###
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
