LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Help find a cure by participating in and fundraising for the 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis.  Formerly known as Arthritis Walk, Walk to Cure Arthritis is the Arthritis Foundation's signature, national fundraising event to prevent, control and cure the nation's leading cause of disability.  Funds raised through local Walks to Cure Arthritis will support programs, research and advocacy initiatives to help people today while finding a cure for tomorrow. 

Arthritis is a crippling disease that affects nearly 53 million adults and 300,000 children.  The disease costs the U.S. economy $128 billion dollars a year, and is a more frequent cause of activity limitation than heart disease, cancer or diabetes. 

"Arthritis is costly, painful and debilitating, and significantly impacts the lives of people in your community," says Arthritis Foundation, Pacific Region CEO, Manny Loya.  "Celebrate the spirit of Arthritis Awareness Month by participating in and raising funds at your local walk.  It's the perfect way to enjoy physical activity while bringing us closer to a cure." 

Join thousands of walkers to raise funds in honor of a friend, family member or colleague at the Walk to Cure Arthritis in your community:    

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month.  Established by Presidential Proclamation in 1972, National Arthritis Awareness Month aims to increase public awareness of arthritis, dispel misperceptions, and educate Americans on ways to prevent and control their arthritis. 

A commonly held misperception is that arthritis is untreatable and affects older adults. In reality, two-thirds of the 52.5 million adults with arthritis are younger than 65 years old, and 300,000 children are affected by juvenile arthritis.  Watch the Faces of Arthritis video to learn more.    

Physical activity is one of the best ways to prevent or control arthritis pain and its activity limitations.  Exercise helps strengthen muscles around joints, thereby providing better joint support and protection as well as enhancing flexibility.  Thirty minutes of daily exercise, such as walking, helps reduce pain, increase mobility, and manage weight.  In fact, the loss of one pound of body weight reduces four pounds of pressure from each knee. 

For more information on arthritis and its treatments, as well as resources for living better with arthritis, contact your local Arthritis Foundation office or visit arthritis.org or arthritistoday.org.

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 the trusted, go-to resource for arthritis management and solutions.  It is committed to raising awareness and reducing the impact of this serious and painful 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, Pacific Region