According to The Arthritis Society, in Canada one in six people suffers from arthritis (just under 5 million people). Of these, two thirds of people with arthritis are of working age; additionally some 24,000 children are affected.
Arthritis is a type of joint disorder where inflammation of one or more joints occurs. Different forms include osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease); rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases.
Due to the pain association with the condition and the level of support needed, The Arthritis Society has been raising funds to help people with the condition. One way in which the society does this is through an annual fundraising walk. The walk, now in its sixth year, raised $1.1 million for the event held in June 2015.
One of the people who took part in the event was Lloyd Robertson, co-host of W5 and former chief anchor and senior editor of the CTV National News. Robertson has osteoarthritis. He said of the 2015 event: “The Walk is raising awareness that we’re a large community, and we help one another. We know that by working together, we can make things better. Because really, that’s what life is all about.”
The Society is the main health charity for arthritis, and it provides education, programs and support. The organization was established in 1948, and it has spent some $190 million on various projects since its inception.
Commenting on the success of the event, Janet Yale, president and CEO of The Arthritis Society said: “Pain-free mobility is something everyone deserves – it’s essential to our quality of life. The Walk is about coming together to help our friends, neighbors and loved ones living with the chronic pain of arthritis to reclaim that freedom.”
The money raised from the sponsored walks goes towards research and support services. The next Walk to Fight Arthritis is set to take place on Sunday June 5, 2016.
