Festive Holiday Photo Contest Kicks Off 2010 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis

/PRNewswire/ -- To kick off the 2010 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation is launching the "Be There with Bells On" Flickr Photo Contest asking people to submit images of their favorite "bells" – from the Liberty Bell to sleigh bells.

The Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is a fun and festive way to kick off the holidays with family, friends and coworkers while positively impacting the lives of the 50 million Americans with arthritis. Thousands of runners and walkers will hit the nation's pavements, pathways and parks this winter to fight arthritis. With some 67 million Americans projected to have arthritis by 2030, now is the time to escalate efforts to prevent, treat and cure the most common cause of disability in the U.S.

"The Jingle Bell Run/Walk aims to raise funds in the name of preventing, controlling and curing arthritis," said Dr. John Klippel, Arthritis Foundation President and CEO, "all while encouraging daily physical activity for better health."

Submissions to the contest will be solicited online via Flickr and at all participating 2010 Jingle Bell Run/Walk events and entries will be housed on the Arthritis Foundation's Flickr page. An overall contest winner will be chosen in January 2011 and will receive the grand prize of two roundtrip tickets and a weekend getaway courtesy of Delta and Hilton Honors.

For more information on the "Be There with Bells On" Flickr Photo Contest, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/arthritis-foundation/. To find the nearest Jingle Bell Run/Walk event contact your local Arthritis Foundation chapter or visit www.arthritis.org.

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World Arthritis Day on Oct. 12 Calls for Americans to 'Do Blue' and Take Action Against Nation's Most Common Cause of Disability

/PRNewswire/ -- In observance of World Arthritis Day, the Arthritis Foundation is calling on Americans to "Do Blue" on Tues., Oct. 12. From dressing head to toe with blue (hair) dos to blue shoes – and everything in between – to lighting up national monuments in blue, the effort aims to raise awareness of arthritis in all its forms and to urge the nation and individuals to take action to reduce the impact of the most common cause of disability in the U.S.

"World Arthritis Day is about people joining together and mobilizing to fight arthritis, a disabling disease that affects 50 million people in the U.S. and hundreds of millions around the world," says Arthritis Foundation President and CEO Dr. John H. Klippel.

Observed every year on Oct. 12 since 1996, World Arthritis Day is part of a global awareness initiative by the United Nations-endorsed Bone and Joint Decade. This year's theme is "Let's Work Together." A key aim is to increase awareness of the 100+ forms of arthritis and to call on individuals and policymakers to take action to reduce the burden of arthritis.

"Arthritis exacts a hefty financial toll, costing the U.S. economy $128 billion annually," says Klippel. "As the staggering prevalence of arthritis continues to rise, we must as a nation and as individuals take action to reduce the severe health and economic effects of this disease."

Action Against Arthritis

To encourage all Americans to take simple steps that will prevent or decrease the pain and disability of arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation is launching several initiatives in support of World Arthritis Day and as an extension of the Fight Arthritis Pain campaign that launched in February in partnership with the Ad Council.

* Walk Around the World – Moving is the best medicine for fighting arthritis pain. Help the Arthritis Foundation raise awareness as we collectively walk 24,900 miles, the circumference of the earth, between now and Oct. 31. Visit www.fightarthritispain.org/worldarthritisday to learn more and record your steps.


* Do Blue for Arthritis – The Arthritis Foundation is encouraging Americans to "Do Blue" in observance of World Arthritis Day. This involves anything from lighting up national landmarks in blue, like Niagara Falls, to wearing blue shoes and other apparel. On this day our voices will be heard and we will be seen as well.


* "Ask-the-Experts" Twitter Party – Get answers to your questions about managing and treating osteoarthritis. The Arthritis Foundation, in partnership with the American College of Rheumatology, will host a Twitter party at 2 pm EDT on Oct. 12. Dr. Patience White of the Arthritis Foundation and Dr. Arthur Weinstein of Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University Medical Center will answer questions in real time. Join the party by tweeting using the hash tag #arthritisday.


* Ask Congress to Join the Congressional Arthritis Caucus – World Arthritis Day marks the launch of the Congressional Arthritis Caucus, co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Eshoo (D-CA) and Myrick (R-NC). The caucus will strive to raise awareness about arthritis and work toward the goal of educating all members of Congress about how arthritis impacts their communities and how to help support federal and local efforts addressing arthritis in all its forms. Call or email your members of Congress and ask that they unite against arthritis by joining the Congressional Arthritis Caucus.


* Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis – Form a Jingle Bell Run/Walk team and raise awareness and funds to fight arthritis. Be one of the first 100 people to register on Oct. 12 at www.fightarthritispain.org and receive a free gift.


To learn more about World Arthritis Day activities in the U.S., visit www.fightarthritispain.org/worldarthritisday. Visit www.worldarthritisday.org for worldwide activities.

The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is the leading health organization addressing the needs of the 50 million Americans, including 300,000 children, living with arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. The Foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; supporting research and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.

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Baseball Legend Hank Aaron Walks in Arthritis Walk- Atlanta to Raise Awareness of Osteoarthritis

/PRNewswire/ -- The Arthritis Foundation, Southeast Region, Georgia Office announced today that baseball legend Hank Aaron will be participating in the Arthritis Walk-Atlanta on Saturday, May 22nd. Hank will be walking with local members of "Team Hank" to encourage the millions of people suffering with osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain to take action now and to talk to their doctor about treatment options.

Hank Aaron, who won legions of fans by breaking countless records while never being on the disabled list in his 23 year career, found himself dealing with knee pain once he retired. He was diagnosed with knee OA, and over the years his knee pain increased to the point that he even had trouble walking short distances. As someone who had been physically fit his whole life, Hank was determined to find a way to relieve the pain. Hank talked to his doctor and found a treatment that works for him.

"The reason I will be walking in the Arthritis Walk is because I don't want people with arthritis to give up. I want them to understand that there is still hope out there for them, and to go to their doctor for advice," said Hank Aaron.

Hank is encouraging Georgians to join him and thousands of others who are affected by arthritis at the Arthritis Walk-Atlanta on Saturday, May 22nd and to support the fight against arthritis by joining www.teamhank.com.

For more information about Arthritis Walk-Atlanta, visit www.arthritiswalkatlanta.org.

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Track & Field Champion, Carl Brown Joins the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run/Walk to Keep You Moving This Holiday Season

/PRNewswire/ -- Get moving this holiday season at the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis®. Be one of the thousands of runners and walkers who hit the nation's pavements, pathways and parks this winter to fight arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability.

The Jingle Bell Run/Walk events are a fun and festive way to bring in the holidays with family and friends. This annual event kicks off in November and aims to raise funds in the name of preventing, controlling and curing arthritis, all while encouraging daily physical activity for better health.

"Staying active through the winter months is imperative for both people with and without arthritis," said Carl Brown, U.S. Track and Field Champion, diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 36. "Moving just 30 minutes a day can ease joint pain, improve mobility, reduce fatigue, and even ward off those unwanted holiday pounds."

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 such as walking.

To find the nearest Jingle Bell Run/Walk event contact the local Arthritis Foundation chapter or visit www.arthritis.org.

"The Jingle Bell Run/Walk event provides an opportunity to get people moving for a worthy cause," added Brown. "By participating in this event, I hope it encourages others to commit to daily physical activity and continue to move together throughout the year."

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 $400 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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The Gingrich Foundation Makes Charitable Contribution to the Arthritis Foundation

The Gingrich Foundation has made a charitable donation to the Arthritis Foundation to support research for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Arthritis Foundation is the only national non-profit organization that supports more than one hundred types of arthritis and related conditions. Founded in 1948, the Arthritis Foundation is also the largest private contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380 million in research grants since 1948. The foundation helps people 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.

“The Gingrich Foundation is pleased to support the Arthritis Foundation and its work in arthritis research,” said Callista Gingrich, President of the Gingrich Foundation. “Newt and I are optimistic that the Arthritis Foundation will lead the way in discovering a cure, and we are honored to contribute to such an important cause.”

“We are extremely grateful to the Gingrich Foundation for the very generous support, which is more important than ever during these challenging economic times,” said Dr. John H. Klippel, President and CEO of The Arthritis Foundation. “The gift allows us to sustain funding for vital research to unlock the mysteries of arthritis and provide programs and advocacy efforts to improve the lives of the forty-six million Americans with arthritis.”

Callista Gingrich is the President of the Gingrich Foundation and President of Gingrich Productions in Washington, D.C. Speaker Newt Gingrich is the General Chairman of American Solutions for Winning the Future, Chairman of the Gingrich Group, and Founder of the Center for Health Transformation in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia.

The Gingrich Foundation is a domestic non-profit corporation founded by Callista and Newt Gingrich to support charitable purposes.