(HealthNewsDigest.com) - ATLANTA, March 11, 2013  -- The 2013 Arthritis Walk, the Arthritis Foundation's annual nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, officially kicked-off this month and will take place in nearly 130 cities through November this year.  Arthritis Walk unites communities across the country to put an end to arthritis, a chronic disease that affects 50 million adults and 300,000 children, or approximately 22 percent of the U.S. population. By 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans will have arthritis, unless the trend is reversed.

"Arthritis affects people of all ages from nine months to 90 years of age, and the debilitating symptoms are devastating," said Arthritis Foundation Vice President of Public Health, Dr. Patience White. "We are encouraging Americans to participate in this year's Arthritis Walk in honor of a family member, friend or the millions of children and adults living in disabling pain. The funds raised during the Arthritis Walk help support critical Arthritis Foundation research and programs to improve the quality of life and help find a cure for people living with arthritis."

For a complete list of Arthritis Walk events nationwide and to register, visit www.arthritiswalk.org. For those not able to attend their local Arthritis Walk, there is still an opportunity to participate through the Virtual Arthritis Walk, a new and exciting way to support the Arthritis Foundation in your community. Visitwww.virtualarthritiswalk.kintera.org to form a team, raise funds, celebrate your team's accomplishments and share with others on social media.

Arthritis Walk events across the country will feature hometown honorees--youth, adult and medical.  Nationally, the Arthritis Foundation has honored Susan Au and 15-year old Mikayla Minnig, two courageous women battling arthritis, who have become national ambassadors and advocates for the Arthritis Walk.

Arthritis is a complex family of musculoskeletal disorders with many causes, not yet fully understood, and so far there are no cures.  It consists of more than 100 different diseases or conditions that destroy joints, bones, muscles, cartilage and other connective tissues, hampering or halting physical movement. In addition to causing pain, this serious and sometimes deadly disease costs the U.S. economy $128 billion each year. Learn more about arthritis and the Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org.

About the Arthritis Foundation
Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation's leading cause of disability.  The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the unacceptable impact of this serious and painful disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest.  The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.

Arthritis Foundation

Web Site: http://www.arthritis.org
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