Fighting arthritis
Summerside, Charlottetown each to host Walk to Fight Arthritis
The Walk to Fight Arthritis, the Arthritis Society’s marquee fundraising event, is set for June 4 in Summerside and Charlottetown.
The walk unites those who feel the emotional and physical pain of arthritis in communities across the country to fund a cure and improve the lives of those living with arthritis.
“We are very excited to be having our walk again this year. This event is growing year by year and we are looking forward to an even bigger crowd this year,” said Rosie Keough, walk committee chairwoman.
“With thousands of people living with arthritis on this little Island it is past time we step up and step out on June 4 to help raise funds, awareness and find a cure for this crippling disease.”
Each year, walk locations honour a walk hero, someone whose personal journey with arthritis sheds light on the disease and its effects on the lives arthritis touches. Cody MacDonald of Charlottetown was recently named the P.E.I. Walk Hero for his self-advocacy and amazing story of recovery. MacDonald’s journey with arthritis began when he was 16, although the reason for his terrible hip and back pain was not diagnosed until he was 19. For months, arthritis made him stay at home and required him to spend his wedding day on crutches. Now, after a double hip replacement and finding the right medications to manage his pain, MacDonald and his wife run their own company, have two children and are thrilled to be able to take part.
“It’s important to me to give something back, there have been tremendous improvements in research and development in treatment for arthritis, just even in the time since I was diagnosed,” he says. “The Arthritis Society’s programs benefit people of all ages, and I want to help fundraise to keep those programs coming.”
To participate, register at walktofightarthritis.ca. The Charlottetown event at UPEI gets underway at noon. Summerside will hold its event at the waterfront boardwalk with registration at 10 a.m.