NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following release is being issued by the Arthritis Foundation:

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111011/DC83806)

What: The Empire State Building, in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation, will be illuminated in blue on the evening of October 12 to commemorate World Arthritis Day and honor the 50 million Americans who have arthritis, the nation's leading cause of disability.

When: Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at Sunset

Why: The Arthritis Foundation is joining a global effort on Oct. 12, World Arthritis Day, to increase awareness of the many forms of arthritis and to call on individuals and policymakers to take action to reduce the burden of arthritis around the world. As the nation's leading cause of disability, arthritis exacts a hefty financial toll, costing the U.S. economy $128 billion annually. As the staggering prevalence of arthritis continues to rise, the Arthritis Foundation is calling on the nation and individuals to "Move to Improve" to reduce the severe health and economic effects of this disease. For more information on the Arthritis Foundation and World Arthritis Day activities visit www.FightArthritisPain.org/WorldArthritisDay.

About the Arthritis Foundation
Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation's leading cause of disability. The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the impact of this serious, painful and unacceptable disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest. The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.

SOURCE Arthritis Foundation

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http://www.arthritis.org