Arthritis Awareness Week and William’s Walk shines the spotlight on juvenile arthritis

There are thousands of children in NSW with juvenile arthritis, yet it is a condition which continues to be misunderstood and under recognised and resourced. Arthritis is commonly perceived to be a condition that affects older people, but Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW is determined to spread the message during Arthritis Awareness Week that 'Kids Get Arthritis Too!' 

Arthritis Awareness Week (15-21 March 2015) is the chance to spread the message that not only do kids get arthritis, but that arthritis affects children in the same way it affects adults. That is, through pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, redness and warmth around the joint area. There is also the considerable risk that, with time, the joints will become permanently damaged. 

As part of Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW’s campaign to raise awareness for juvenile arthritis in NSW, we are marking the end of Arthritis Awareness Week with William's Walk. On Saturday 21 March we will visit Parramatta Park for William’s Walk, to celebrate the life of William Harris, who was diagnosed at the age of two with juvenile arthritis and passed away in 2011 at the age of six. William's legacy is one of raising awareness throughout the wider community that children get arthritis and helping to change the lives of thousands of children with arthritis. 

Lauren Harris explains how juvenile arthritis affected her son, William. 

“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,” said Lauren. 

Jannine Jackson, CEO of Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW expands on the importance of raising awareness for children with arthritis. 

"There are thousands of children and teenagers living with arthritis in NSW and at William's Walk and Arthritis Awareness Week, we are showing our support for these brave children. Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW is proud to be raising awareness for juvenile arthritis and we hope as many people as possible can join us at William’s Walk on Saturday 21 March," said Jannine. 

Arthritis may be a condition that is seen as being invisible to most Australians, but the pain and difficulty it causes is all too real for thousands of children and their families in NSW. 

Please support Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW's campaign to raise awareness of juvenile arthritis for William's Walk and Arthritis Awareness Week and  visit www.williamswalk.org.au or call 1800 011 041 to donate or register. You can also spread the message on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtags #WilliamsWalk and #KidsGetArthritisToo.

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