The Arthritis Foundation is calling for people to take action against arthritis by taking part in the 2013 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis. Missoula’s 3rd annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk benefits the Arthritis Foundation and takes place on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Caras Park. The event fosters a partnership between the Arthritis Foundation and the community, raising funds and awareness. The Jingle Bell Run/Walk kicks off during the holiday season, raising awareness for America’s leading cause of disability, while raising the funds necessary for research, health education and government advocacy to improve the lives of people with arthritis.
Consisting of a 5K Run, 5K Walk and 1K children’s Run with the Elves, the Missoula Jingle Bell Run/Walk is now a Missoula holiday tradition. This year the tradition expands as a part of the Missoula Downtown Association’s Parade of Lights. To celebrate the holiday season, participants tie jingle bells to their shoelaces, don festive holiday costumes and join friends and neighbors in support of the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to prevent, control and cure arthritis and its related diseases.
Activities include a costume contest sponsored by U-103, and an Elf Olympics as a part of Elf Village for the kids. Plus there will be awards, prizes, food, photographers, family activities and giveaways. The event takes place at Caras Park in downtown Missoula on Saturday, December 7th, 2013 with festivities beginning at 8:30 a.m. Race packet pick-up is available on Friday, December 6th, 2013 at the Runners Edge in Downtown from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. To get involved, form a team or to volunteer, visit the Missoula Jingle Bell Run/Walk Website or call (509) 315-9862.
Arthritis is much more widespread than imagined, affecting 50 million Americans, roughly one out of five adults, and approximately 300,000 children. In Washington alone, over 1.2 million people are affected, including over 6,000 children.
“The prevalence of arthritis in our nation is surging, and we cannot ignore it. Events like the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis help bring the community together to raise awareness and funds that are critical to the advancement of research, health education and government advocacy,” said Scott Weaver, CEO of the Arthritis Foundation, Great West Region.
Each year, the Jingle Bell Run/Walk selects a community citizen as the event honoree. The role of the event honoree is to serve in a leadership position to help raise awareness and funds for the Foundation. This year the Arthritis Foundation honors Jennifer Shryock. Jennifer’s goal is to expand the event’s impact in the community and, as always, bring awareness to the tremendous toll arthritis takes on millions of Americans, especially children afflicted with this condition.
As the nation’s largest holiday run/walk event, the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis offers activities for the entire family. Statistics show that walking for 30 minutes regularly can greatly reduce your risk for certain forms of arthritis. Sign up today and join one of the nearly 100 Jingle Bell Run/Walks for arthritis nationwide. When you do, you’ll spread some cheer by helping to prevent arthritis this holiday season.
About the Arthritis Foundation
Arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability. It robs one in every five adults and 300,000 children of living life to its fullest. The Arthritis Foundation leads the way by helping people with arthritis live better today and creates better tomorrows through new treatments, better access and, ultimately, cures. We do this by:
- Funding life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades
- Fighting for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions of Americans with arthritis
- Partnering with families to provide empowering programs and information
As the nation’s largest private funder of research, public health programs and advocacy on behalf of the 50 million Americans with arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation has set an impact goal to reduce the number of people suffering from arthritis-related physical activity limitations by 20 percent by 2030.
For more information, (800)542-0295, or Visit the Arthritis Foundation website.
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