Arthritis Awareness Week
Announcement posted by Arthritis NSW 14 Mar 2012
Arthritis is a very common condition in Australia affecting one in five people of all ages and from all walks of life. There are over 120 different types that affect people in different ways, but all frequently result in pain, joint stiffness and reduced mobility.
This year, Arthritis Awareness Week is an opportunity to focus on osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly 1.5 million Australians.
Arthritis NSW supports people of all ages living with arthritis and will hold several events during Arthritis Awareness Week to raise awareness and funds for the management and treatment of this life-changing chronic condition.
Karen Filocamo, Arthritis NSW Chief Executive, hopes that the week will enlighten and inform Australians, while starting a discussion on support currently available to help people with arthritis.
“Arthritis Awareness Week highlights that, with the right support, people with arthritis can improve their quality of life. The events we are holding during the week are designed to engage different sections of the community to allow for greater understanding of these conditions and their management, while having a bit of fun at the same time,” said Karen Filocamo.
The three main Arthritis NSW events this Arthritis Awareness Week are:
JIA webinar
Arthritis NSW will host a juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) webinar on Monday 26 March from 7 to 8pm. Presented by Paediatric Rheumatologist, Dr Davinder Singh-Grewal, the webinar will explore aspects of living with a childhood chronic disease and discuss the latest medicine updates for JIA, making it perfect for parents of children with JIA, health professionals working with JIA children, or anyone generally interested in learning more about the chronic condition.
Arthritis seminar, Bankstown
The seminar will be held from 10am until 12.30pm, Friday 30 March 2012, in the Georges River Room at Bankstown Sports Club. The seminar aims to educate the community on how to manage osteoarthritis and maintain quality of life, with seminar presenters including Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Sol Qurashi; local Physiotherapist, Jim Liakos; and local Podiatrist, Anna Novak. Topics covered will include the medical management of arthritis, the importance of physical activity and exercise, as well as arthritis and your feet.
Splash for Arthritis
To wrap-up Arthritis Awareness Week with a bang, Arthritis NSW is encouraging Sydney-siders to make a Splash for Arthritis and participate in an Aqua Zumba fiesta – the biggest class ever seen in Sydney! Taking place at Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre on Saturday 31 March, the inaugural event aims to help Arthritis NSW raise much needed funding for services, support, education and research into the causes and treatment of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Hosted by Maria Teresa Stone, an international Zumba educator and ‘master trainer’ who helped launch the program in New Zealand and Australia, the Aqua Zumba fiesta promises to be a day of splashing, stretching, twisting, shouting, laughing, hooting and hollering.
For more information on arthritis or these events, please contact Arthritis NSW on 1800 011 041 or visit www.arthritisnsw.org.au.