Milestones in Fundraising and Events
Every Spring and Fall, thousands of Americans gather across the country to demonstrate the Power of 60. The Arthritis Foundation’s signature event, the Arthritis Walk, takes place in cities nationwide to support public awareness as people come together to fight arthritis. The Arthritis Walk is the latest symbol of the Arthritis Foundation’s long-standing commitment to raising funds to find better treatments and a cure for arthritis.
When we all come together to raise money – and our voices – it is easy to see the Power of 60.
How It All Began: Raising Desperately Needed Funds for Future Generations
In 1948, the same year the Arthritis Foundation was founded, the seriousness of arthritis’ toll on society caught the eye of comedian Bob Hope. He was the first of many famous celebrities to lend his widespread popularity to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation. Through the years at Arthritis Telethons and other special events, celebrities such as Frank Sinatra; Johnny Grant, Hollywood’s honorary mayor; actress Jane Wyman; comedian Rodney Dangerfield; actress Victoria Principal; and Tina Wesson of Survivor fame have parlayed their personal success into millions of dollars raised in the hopes of finding a cure for arthritis.
The millions living with arthritis received another big nod in 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation designating May as National Arthritis Month. With the support of some of the country’s most well-known faces, awareness of arthritis and the people it affects became well-known on a national level. Americans could feel the Power of 60 all around them.
Where We Are Now: Walking for a Cure
With 46 million adults and nearly 300,000 children with arthritis, now is the time to come together. It is predicted that by the year 2030, 67 million people will be affected by arthritis. What’s particularly disturbing is that the prevalence of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, continues to rise even though it often can be prevented by staying active.
That’s why three of the Arthritis Foundation’s fundraising events -- the Joints in Motion marathon training program, the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis, and the Arthritis Walk -- focus on getting people moving and active, all while bringing people together to raise funds not only for a cure, but also for public awareness of arthritis.
With millions raised since the Arthritis Walk’s inception, we’re hosting more programs, funding more research and providing more services to people with arthritis.
The one thing missing is you.
Sign up today to participate in the 2008 and 2009 Arthritis Walk in your area, and walk to share the Power of 60.
