“It starts with one and helps 66 million” is a motto for the national Arthritis Foundation’s annual walkathon fundraiser, and this year, for the first time, Hudson County will participate.
State Assemblyman and West New York Mayor Albio Sires will chair the county’s walk on Sunday, May 7. Everyone is invited to participate, from avid walkers to the younger crowd in their strollers. The walk will be held at 10 a.m. in Jersey City’s picturesque Liberty State Park.
“I’m thankful that they have selected me to be the chairman of this year’s walk,” said Sires. “For me this brings back a lot of memories of my household. My mother always suffered from spinal arthritis, and I am thankful for this opportunity to serve our community and open their eyes to this illness.”
Walkers can choose to complete a one-mile or a three-mile course, and afterwards enjoy an afternoon of music, massages and more. Activities will also be available for kids.
“We are going to be the first bilingual walk-a-thon in the state, and possibly in the country,” said Patricia Scott, bilingual community manager.
Undiagnosed
Arthritis affects about 66 million Americans, and is the nation’s leading cause of disability. Also, contrary to popular belief, arthritis does not only afflict the elderly, but people of all ages, including about 300,000 children. The condition also affects a large percentage of the Hispanic community, which largely goes undiagnosed.
“If we’re not the highest percentage in the state, it’s because we have not been diagnosed,” said Sires. Hispanic sufferers make up at least 23 million of those afflicted with arthritis, or 16 percent.
One in three Americans with arthritis will experience trouble with everyday activities such as walking, dressing and bathing due to the pain and inflammation that it causes.
Arthritis has also been linked to other debilitating diseases such as Lupus, and affects approximately 2.1 million New Jersey residents. Currently the United States pays about $86.2 billion annually in medical costs for treatments and productivity.
Raises money for awareness
In an effort to raise money and further inform the public about arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation has sponsored these annual walks, and to instill preventative measures such as increasing physical activity.
“Walking is a great example of a simple activity that we can do to promote health,” said Dr. Patience White, chief public health officer of the Arthritis Foundation. “A 30-minute walk most days of the week reduces joint pain and stiffness and blindness, builds muscles around the joints, increase flexibility and endurance and overall health.”
There have been over 300 walks across the nation.
A day in the park
“We need leaders in the community to help such as Tai Chi [instructors] to promote physical activities; we use volunteers in Hudson County all the time,” said Scott.
According to Sires, West New York has been fortunate enough to offer specialty activities such as Tai Chi to its residents over the last 10 years.
The walk-a-thon will begin at 10 a.m. following a 9 a.m. breakfast. Check-in/ registration for the walk will begin at 8:30 a.m., but registration can also be done online prior to the event.
Fore more information on treatments or the walkathon call (732) 283-4300 or visit www.arthritis.org.