Laurie Markle is the Manager of Grassroots Advocacy for the Arthritis Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization that supports the more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, nonprofit contributor to arthritis research in the world. We help people take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.
Every time I see October 12th approaching, I get a little more excited than I did the year before to participate in World Arthritis Day: a day for raising awareness and raising your voice. It's a day to join forces with people across the globe and share the message that more needs to be done for people with arthritis. For me, it means a day where our message has a greater impact – and I love making an impact!
This year, in honor of World Arthritis Day, we're reaching out to First Lady Michelle Obama and thanking her for Let's Move: a campaign focused on getting kids moving and preventing obesity in America. In addition to sharing our gratitude, we're asking the First Lady to talk about the benefits of movement and weight management for the prevention and treatment of arthritis. Did you know that a pound of body fat provides an additional 4 lbs. of pressure on your knee joints? Maintaining a healthy weight is a helpful guideline for all 50 million Americans suffering from arthritis pain!
Arthritis is our nation’s leading cause of disability and costs our economy a staggering $128 billion annually. We can reduce health care costs and improve our economy by preventing osteoarthritis through weight management and physical activity.
Your support is critical to the success of World Arthritis Day. Will you join me and ask First Lady Michelle Obama to talk about arthritis? Send her a pre-drafted letter, add your story, and help ensure that future generations aren’t faced with the same disabling pain.
Learn more about the Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org.
