Help change the lives of thousands of children with arthritis at William’s Walk 2015
Announcement posted by Arthritis NSW 20 Jan 2015
William's Walk is back for its fourth year and in 2015, we are fighting stronger than ever for the children of NSW. Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW is calling on the community to join us and raise money on Saturday 21 March 2015 at Parramatta Park.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis with an unknown cause that develops in children 15 years and under. Children with JIA have the same symptoms as those that affect older people – joint pain, stiffness, inflammation and reduced mobility.
William Harris was one such child, who sadly lost his battle with juvenile arthritis aged 6. William was born 12 November, 2004. William suffered from the chronic pain of arthritis and was diagnosed in 2006, at just two years of age, with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Lauren Harris, William's mother explains the importance of raising funds and awareness for juvenile arthritis.
“Many people don’t know that kids can suffer from arthritis too. Nobody will ever truly understand the pain of watching their five year old son crawl up the hallway because he couldn’t walk. I want to raise money for the 6,000 kids in NSW who are soldiering through their condition the way that William did. He cared deeply about others and would want to help others who are living with this pain every day,” says Mrs Harris.
William's story is a tragic one. It is a parent's worst fear, losing your child to a disease you can't control. William’s systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) meant he never got to experience the joys of being a child.
In NSW, there are 6,000 children facing the same battle with juvenile arthritis as William. Juvenile arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects kids through joint pain, stiffness, reduced mobility and inflammation and even death.
With your help, William's Walk can continue to raise money and awareness for life threatening arthritis in children. Join us for a fantastic family event on Saturday 21 March at Parramatta Park. Together, we can help all children living with arthritis. There will be plenty of entertainment on the day including the Lorax Spectacular, an all singing, all dancing adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope!
For more information and to register please visit www.williamswalk.org.au or http://www.arthritisnsw.org.au or phone 1800 011 041. Registration includes a complimentary William's Walk 2015 T-Shirt.
Where: Pavilion Flat, Parramatta Park
When: Saturday 21 March 2015.
Register: williamswalk.org.au
About Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW
Today arthritis affects one person in every six – more than 15% of the population! Arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions (MSK) are the leading cause of disability in Australia. Nearly 25% of absenteeism is related to arthritis and MSK. There are more than 120 types of arthritis including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus and gout.
Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW (AONSW) is nearly 50 years old, having been founded in 1967 by the late Bruce Williams. AONSW has its headquarters in North Ryde and there are nearly 50 support groups and branches throughout NSW. Affiliated with Arthritis Australia, AONSW provides specialised services such as warm water exercises & hydrotherapy, Tai Chi, and self-management programs focusing on lifestyle, nutrition, diet and gentle exercise. AONSW raises funds for medical research, and in conjunction with our network of support groups and our digital channels, pursues a vision of ‘A Community Free from Arthritis’.