This summer, Eugene residents Lanier Lobdell and Flaxen will embark upon a cross-country journey to raise awareness about Rheumatoid Arthritis and spread their message of hope and inspiration for people living with this chronic disease.

Lanier will be chronicling their trip with video and photo updates on “The Extra Mile Tour” Facebook Fan Page. We invite you to follow them as they make their way across the country and back again by becoming a fan today!

More Info: http://www.facebook.com/extramiletour?v=wall

Patrick McGlade is running Across the Country (CA to GA) to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. This run is taking place from January through April 2010.

For more information, please visit: http://way.to/patricksrun4arthritis

“I plan on running a marathon a day for approximately four months to raise awareness and $50,000 for the Arthritis Foundation. My ultimate cross-country run is over 2,500 miles long, from the Pacific Ocean along a southern route, to the Tybee Island coast in Georgia on the Atlantic Ocean.

I want to increase awareness about living a physically fit life, especially for kids today. I hope to inspire kids along my route, as I’m sure they will inspire me to keep going, especially the children who are affected by arthritis. Too many young people will never know what running is like because of their arthritis. I also hope to increase awareness about arthritis the disease – it’s not an “old person’s disease” as most think; it affects young and old alike. As I run across America, I will be reminded daily of the 300,000 kids living with arthritis.

My hope is to run a marathon a day for four months, so that kids everywhere can get up and start moving. Whatever we can do for the kids today will improve the outlook for future generations.”

- Patrick McGlade

Wall Street Journal | Business | January 12, 2010, 12:00 A.M. ET

Lower Salaries, Reimbursement Rates Create Shortfall of Specialists; Kenneth’s Seven-Month Wait for an Appointment

A growing shortage of pediatricians trained in specialties such as neurology, gastroenterology, and developmental and behavioral medicine is threatening timely access to care for children, according to pediatric medical groups.

As the House and Senate intensify the process of melding their two health bills, pediatric groups are lobbying to secure more funding for training and higher reimbursement for pediatric sub-specialties, in the hope of encouraging more doctors-in-training to enter the field. Specialization typically requires up to three years of training beyond a general pediatrics residency and can pay salaries less than half the rate of adult specialty medicine. At present, 17 states lack at least one physician in one of 13 sub-specialties.

Read More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052… (Wall Street Journal)

Shortage of Pediatric Rheumatologists

A new Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) report reveals a severe shortage of pediatric rheumatologists in the U.S. and calls for a 75 percent increase in the number of pediatric rheumatologists.

Read More: http://www.arthritis.org/advocate-news.php (Arthritis Foundation)

Is it wrinkled, gray, and crippled? Or – is it a child, a teenager, a ballet dancer, a professional athlete?

The truth is, it can be any of the above. Arthritis in its different forms can affect all ages and ethnicities.

I personally “don’t look sick” but at age 26 have multiple ongoing health problems, including Rheumatoid Arthritis that I’ve had since around the age of 10. Well-known NBA player Allan Iverson has recently been sidelined due to arthritis in his knee. We had an honoree for our Fall Walk, Deora, who was only 2 years old, and a Jingle Bell Run Honoree, Maddie, who was just 9 years of age. My grandmother has arthritis; but so does a friend of mine in her early 30’s. There is no set age when arthritis can strike, and the reality is, since there are so many different types, it can happen to just about anyone!

That being said, when it does happen to you — especially if you are a child or young adult — you may still feel like you ARE the only one. We’d like you to know that you are NOT alone!!

Read More: http://arthritisfoundationwpa.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/young-arthritis-resources-for-juvenile-arthritis-young-adults-living-with-arthritis-related-disease-ashley-boynes-community-development-director-wpa-chapter/

Rheum to Grow – A Facebook Page for Teens & Young Adults

Fellow superhero Ferhaan – from the Netherlands – was recently interviewed for the monthly publication of the Dutch Arthritis Foundation: “In Beweging” (”In Motion”). Starting this January, Ferhaan will be contributing a monthly column for this magazine.

Please join me in wishing Ferhaan the best as he embarks on this new endeavor!

In the meantime, you can visit him at Ferhaan’s Blog.

For more information on the Dutch Arthritis Foundation, please visit: http://www.reumabond.nl/.

If you are in the area, be sure to take a look at this December issue…I am told that Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy is mentioned as well!

About JGCAF
The Jeffrey Gottfurcht Children’s Arthritis Foundation (the “Foundation”) was founded in September 2009 by Jeffrey Gottfurcht. Eight years ago at the age of 27, Jeffrey was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. He had periodically experienced swollen fingers and wrists and  had stiff joints throughout his late teens  and early 20’s but thought these were  merely an allergic reactions. Finally, a Rheumatoid Arthritis specialist at Stanford  confirmed the diagnosis. In 2009, Jeffrey’s symptoms significantly advanced and he learned that he would be functionally immobile within a few years. An avid mountain climber, Jeffrey decided he could not  just give in and with a can-do attitude  committed to training for and climbing  Mount Everest in 2010, thereby fulfilling his number 1 dream. Jeffrey wanted to share his determination to fight Rheumatoid Arthritis and bring joy, strength and support to others afflicted with this lifelong disease. Jeffrey chose to focus on fulfilling the dreams of children suffering from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis because as a father of 3, he understands the importance  of creating positive memories in a child’s life. The Foundation hopes to inspire, educate and generate awareness while those suffering with this lifelong disease optimistically await a cure.

Granting Wishes
The Foundation’s mandate is to fulfill the dreams of children afflicted with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Referrals for dreams will come from parents, guardians,  members of the medical community, support-related  websites and children suffering from Juvenile Rheumatoid  Arthritis. The Foundation’s Dream Team will select the dreams that are prudent and possible to make a reality. The Foundation’s president will visit the child and present the dream come true. Wishes should fall under the following categories: 1) “I wish I could go…”, 2) “I wish I could meet…”, 3) “I wish to be…”, and 4) “I wish to have…”.

More Info: http://jgcaf.org/

The pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis can damage the joints and many other organs of the body. Unlike the more common osteoarthritis, which afflicts primarily older people, rheumatoid arthritis can strike at any age. While early treatments for R.A. worked to relieve the pain associated with this condition, newer medications can prevent joint damage before it causes serious disabilities. But regardless of whether R.A. occurs in a child or an adult, stiffness and pain can make life difficult. Here, six men and women speak about their experiences with R.A.

Read More: www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/19/health/healthguide/TE-rheumatoid-arthritis.html?ref=health

One of the six voices belongs to Sara Nash, from The Single Gal’s Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis!

Now, as part of Arthritis Ireland’s Juvenile Arthritis Programme, adults who themselves have/had juvenile arthritis can provide children with arthritis and their families with valuable insight and support. Becoming a JA Mentor allows adults to pass on the benefit of their experiences with arthritis, increasing the confidence of children and their families by helping them to better understand their condition and its impact on their lives. As an adult who has grown up with juvenile arthritis you will have so much relevant information to share with us and families affected by the condition. With your insight and knowledge we can develop supports that will impact positively on the lives of children and families now experiencing what you have been through.

Mentors can be just a phone call or email away when a young person is looking for their personal perspective on attending further education or planning an around the world trip. Adults who have lived with juvenile arthritis, we need your experience!

If you’re interested in becoming a JA Mentor or would like more information please contact Michelle Towey, Programme Co-ordinator on 01 6470208 or email ja@arthritisireland.ie

More Info: www.arthritisireland.ie/news/newsItem.php?id=91

The Mission of Arthritis Introspective is to improve the lives of people in the prime of life (ages 20 to 50) living with any form of arthritis through wellness education and support systems.

However, if you are 17 years old, or 58, and you feel that you can be helped by the services we provide, Arthritis Introspective welcomes you!

Although Arthritis Introspective (AI) is a new 501c3 organization, (Dec 2007), the idea of it was mulling around in the minds of a group of friends, all with arthritis, for a number of years. We knew there was no feeling than to be around other people who knew what it takes to live a life with arthritis. No questions, no staring, just complete understanding. Each of us knows what it is like to have little or no support, and the way it was, or to be angry and confused at a new diagnosis. Those are the dark days AI wants to do all it can so that no one feels like that again.

The founding Arthritis Introspective Board of Directors and other key volunteers have thousands of hours experience volunteering and working at tax-exempt non-profit organizations and we have exciting new ideas to help the people we serve. Currently, AI is 100% voluntarily operated.

More Info: www.arthritisintrospective.org

Thanks to @riotkat for sharing this link with me!

The Power of Ten
RA Guy on July 22,2009

Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy has been asked more than once, “What can be done to raise awareness of rheumatoid arthritis?” I think that all of us have the ability to raise awareness of rheumatoid arthritis, whether we live with this disease or not. In my opinion, real awareness comes from real people!

So today I would like to launch Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy’s first awareness movement: The Power of Ten. It’s easy, it’s free, and it’s something that each one of us can easily do.

The Power of Ten
Take ten minutes over the next ten days and talk to at least ten people about rheumatoid arthritis. Real awareness comes from real people!

www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2009/07/the-power-of-ten/

Join the Power of 10 and send Erica’s story to family and friends.

http://www.arthritis.org/powerof10.php