Las Vegas, September 2009

The Arthritis Foundation’s Nevada Branch today announced that this year’s Arthritis Walk will be held on Saturday, October 24th at Discovery Park in Henderson. This day of family fun and fitness, featuring celebrity host Terry Fator, will also include entertainment, a kids’ zone, an awards ceremony, and a Halloween costume contest.

The Arthritis Walk is a signature event supporting Let’s Move Together, a nationwide movement sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation that encourages people with arthritis to exercise daily to help prevent or control their arthritis. Proceeds from the Walk will support research to find a cure, as well as programs and services for the 430,000 adults and children in Nevada who are living with the chronic pain and disability of arthritis.

Registration for the Walk begins at 8 a.m., and the Walk begins at 9 a.m.

Participants can choose a one-mile or three-mile course. Friends, family members and co-workers are encouraged to join together to form teams on behalf of those with arthritis.

Lori Brickner, Walk Director, stated, “We are grateful for the support of our partners including Nevada Orthopedic and Spine, City National Bank, and celebrity emcee Terry Fator. With their help, we are anticipating a record turnout for this year’s event.”

Arthritis Walk Honorees

Debi Fator is this year’s Arthritis Walk Honorary Chair. She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when she was 18 years old. Her brother, Terry, the 2007 “America’s Got Talent” winner, used some of his million-dollar winnings to help pay for her biologic drugs, which were not covered by insurance. “Prior to my winning, neither Debi nor I could afford her treatment, estimated to cost $20,000 a year. I told Debi that if I win, we’re calling your doctor.” Debi commented, “I am keeping the faith that one day there is a cure for this devastating disease.”

Makayla Hoag is the 2009 Youth Honoree for the Nevada Walk. She exhibited symptoms of juvenile arthritis beginning at the age of six months. In addition to seizures brought on by viral encephalitis, Makayla suffered from polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder. Tragically, in March of this year, Makayla passed away at the age of five from a reaction to medication used to treat her seizures.

Roger A. Fontes, Jr., MD is this year’s Walk Medical Chair. He is an orthopaedic surgeon with Black Moutain Orthopaedics.

Deb Williams, this year’s recipient of the Teri Gentlemen Commitment to a Cure Award, is Manager of the Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion of the Southern Nevada Health District. The Office educates, motivates and increases skills to maintain healthy and safe lifestyles within the Southern Nevada community.

To register or learn more about the Nevada Arthritis Walk, please log onto www.lasvegaswalk.org or call the Arthritis Foundation Nevada Branch Office at 702.367.1626.

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in Atlanta, the Arthritis Foundation has multiple service points located throughout the country. The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $400 million in research grants since 1948. The foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. Information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-283-7800 or www.arthritis.org.

Event Contact:
Lori Brickner
Director, Arthritis Walk
702.367.1626
lbrickner@arthritis.org

Web site:
Arthritis Foundation, Nevada Arthritis Walk
www.lasvegaswalk.org