Walk To Cure Arthritis Comes To Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Help find a cure by participating in and fundraising for the 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis on June 7 at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis. Formerly 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.

The Memphis Walk to Cure Arthritis features a local honoree who will share her inspirational story about her battles with arthritis. This year's youth honoree is Bradyn Lorimer, age four. Bradyn's parents, Patrick and Michelle Lorimer, noticed that something was wrong in February of last year when Bradyn was limping in church. After arriving home, Bradyn's parents saw that her foot and ankle were swollen. Young Bradyn was taken to doctors and endured x-rays and MRIs; a week later, she was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). There were many mornings where Bradyn was unable to stand, let alone walk. But now, long baths and medication provide each day with some relief. Bradyn, along with her parents and her sister Fallyn, are looking forward to raising awareness at this year's walk.

Arthritis is a crippling disease that impacts more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children – or approximately 22 percent of the United States population. 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. Funds raised through the Memphis Walk to Cure Arthritis will go toward programs, research and advocacy initiatives to help people today while finding a cure for tomorrow.

"Arthritis is costly, painful and debilitating, and makes a significant impact in the lives of people in your community," says Walk Corporate Chair and Director of Contracting for Cigna Healthcare, Charles Utterback. "By participating in and raising funds for the Memphis Walk to Cure Arthritis, you will help us reach our goal of raising $125,000 to remove the burden of arthritis entirely by bringing us closer to a cure."

To learn more and register for the Memphis Walk to Cure Arthritis, visit http://memphiswalktocurearthritis.kintera.org or contact Michelle Dooner at [email protected] or 901-322-1517. To learn more about the fight to cure arthritis, visit http://www.arthritis.org. The walk is nationally presented by Amgen with additional support from Massage Envy Spa.

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.

Contact:
Amanda DelPrete
[email protected]
954-893-9150

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SOURCE Arthritis Foundation