It's Time To Jingle On Your Way For Arthritis

November 5, 2008 – The Arthritis Foundation is calling for people to take action against arthritis by participating in the 2008 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis. The annual nationwide event kicks off during the holiday season, raising awareness of America’s most common cause of disability, while raising desperately needed funds for research, health education and government advocacy to improve the lives of people with arthritis. To celebrate the holiday season, participants tie jingle bells to their shoelaces, don festive holiday costumes and join friends and neighbors in support of the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases.

The area’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis has two events this year: Saturday, December 6 at City Park in Fort Collins AND Sunday December 14, 2008 in Washington Park in Denver. To get involved and to form a team for the Northern Colorado Jingle Bell Run visit http://jinglebellrunnco.kintera.org. To get involved and to form a team for the Denver Jingle Bell Run visit http://jinglebellrundenver.kintera.org. You can also call 303-756-8622.

Arthritis or chronic joint symptoms are more widespread than imagined, affecting 46 million Americans, or one out of five adults and approximately 300,000 children. Here in Colorado arthritis affects more than 800,000 adults and 6,000 children.

“The prevalence of arthritis in our nation is surging, and we cannot ignore it. Events like the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Help bring the community together to raise awareness and funds that are critical to the advancement of research, health education and government advocacy,” said John H. Klippel, M.D., president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation.

As the nation’s largest holiday run/walk event, the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis offers a three-mile fun run and a three-mile fun walk with activities for the entire family. This year’s event will also provide a run for dogs and 1K children’s race. There are nearly 120 Jingle Bell Run/Walks for Arthritis nationwide with more than 80,000 participants. In 2007 alone, the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis raised nearly $3.4 million.

About the Arthritis Foundation
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 -- the nation's number one cause of disability. For more information on arthritis, visit www.rockymountainarthritis.org or call 303-756-8622.