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Thank you Canada for helping us celebrate 10 years of the Walk for Arthritis

Thousands of Canadians get moving to help fund a cure for arthritis

TORONTO, ON - June 3, 2019 – Thank you to Canadians in over 30 communities who took part in the 10th annual Walk for Arthritis this past weekend to support the work of the Arthritis Society.

Over the past decade, the Walk for Arthritis has raised over $12 million to fund research, advocacy, information and support for the 6 million Canadians living with arthritis. This year’s event saw thousands of people raise close to $1 million – funds that are urgently needed to support advances in scientific research and innovative solutions to greatly improve the quality of life for people with arthritis.

“I want to express a heartfelt thank-you to our volunteers, participants, donors, and sponsors not just for their contributions this year, but for ten years of making a difference,” says Janet Yale, President and CEO of the Arthritis Society. “Every dollar raised, every kilometer walked, every year that passes brings our community closer together, and brings us closer to realizing a world where people are free from the devastating effects of arthritis. Our progress towards that goal is a testament to the generosity and courage of Canadians from every corner of our country and every walk of life.”

Arthritis is Canada’s most common chronic health condition, affecting 1 in 5 Canadians – expected to grow to 1 in 4 by 2020.

“I was working towards my PhD when the first symptoms started,” says 24-year-ld Kia Peters. “The pain in my feet and my knees was so excruciating that I literally could not move. I couldn't drive anymore, and my boyfriend had to help me wash my hair, brush my teeth, even carry me to bed. The side effects from my first medication were so bad I wanted to die. After 11 months of trial and error, pain and fighting, I finally went into remission. Finding a community is what helped keep me afloat during this past year, so I’m walking for everyone who can't because of arthritis.”

Funds raised by the 2019 Walk for Arthritis will help deliver better health outcomes for people affected by the disease. Donations are still being accepted until June 30th. 

The Arthritis Society is grateful to our participants, donors and volunteers, and corporate sponsors including our National Sponsor Massage Addict, who all helped make our 10th annual Walk for Arthritis a success.

For more information or to donate, visit www.walkforarthritis.ca

Walk for Arthritis - 10th Anniversary!

Olympic gold medalist François Hamelin cuts a cake at the Montreal Walk location to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Walk for Arthritis. Over its 10 years, the Walk for Arthritis has raised over $12 million for arthritis research and programming. (PHOTO CREDIT: Arthritis Society)

About the Arthritis Society

The Arthritis Society is a national health charity, fueled by donors and volunteers, with a vision to live in a world where people are free from the devastating effects that arthritis has on lives. Begun in 1948 with one very clear goal – to alleviate the suffering of people crippled by arthritis – that same volunteer-led passion carries on today in communities across Canada. Through the trust and support of our donors and sponsors, the Arthritis Society is Canada’s largest charitable source of investments in cutting-edge arthritis research, proactive advocacy and innovative solutions that will deliver better health outcomes for people affected by arthritis. The Arthritis Society is accredited under Imagine Canada’s Standards Program.  For more information and to make a donation, visit arthritis.ca.

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For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Douglas Emerson
tel: 416-979-7228 ext. 3348
cell: 647.706.0440
email: demerson@arthritis.ca 

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