CREDIT: GREENLIPPEDMUSSEL.NET
The term arthritis (“arthro” meaning joint, “itis” meaning inflammation) is used to refer to more than 100 related conditions.

It's a condition that currently affects more than 4.6 million Canadians, and is predicted to almost double in number by 2036. Regardless of age, physical condition or ethnic background, this debilitating disease has been reported in patients as young as six months old, but still exists without a cure. Even with $33 billion designated annually in Canadian healthcare costs, this condition can often be overlooked by much of society. What is this crippling disease called? Arthritis.

On October 30 from 7 to 9 p.m., London's Arthritis Society will be hosting a public form on Managing Arthritis Pain in Fanshawe College's lecture theatre (T1003). A location deemed fit by the organization, the location is accessible to all individuals, whether they are sufferers of arthritis or supporting friends/family.

Angela Bertin, specialist of Community Engagement at the Arthritis Society, Southwest Region, said the night will be packed full of useful information for anyone directly or non-directly suffering from Arthritis.

“Dr. Manfred Harth is our keynote speaker. He will be talking about arthritis, why people have pain, the different types of pain and the various treatment options for managing each pain from a physician's perspective,” Bertin said. “Next, Mohan Khandekar, one of our physiotherapists, will be talking about the role of exercise/activity in helping people manage arthritis pain...[with a] live arthritis friendly demonstration of t'ai chi, yoga and pole walking.”

In addition to these speakers and demonstrations, the forum will also feature a number of local vendors and displays set up around the theatre for viewing and Q&A purposes.

“The main focus of this [forum] is the benefit of exercise, so for the first time ever, we'll be hosting a vendor fair that will act kind of like one-stop-shop,” said Dan Knight, manager of Community Development for Southwest Region.

Although seating is limited, interested guests can call to secure their spot for this free event at 1- 800-955-0563. Guests are encouraged to register prior to October 29.

To keep the underlying theme of exercise as a preventative treatment going, the Arthritis Society will also be hosting a Jingle Bell Walk and Run for Arthritis. Although the event itself has been hosted around the country for almost 20 years, the Society is excited to announce that London will be hosting the event here for the very first time.

“The Arthritis Society hosts the Walk to Fight Arthritis every June, but we noticed a gap between October, November and December, and nothing geared towards runners,” Knight said. “Because this event has been so popular in other provinces, we thought it was time to bring it to London!”

Dr. Khandekar, a physiotherapist with the Southwest Region Arthritis Society, can't stress the importance of exercise in correlation with arthritis prevention and treatment enough.

“If exercise could be bottled, it would be hailed as a breakthrough in arthritis treatment!” Khandekar said.

The Jingle Bell Walk and Run for Arthritis, happening November 16 at Spring Park in London, is designed for walkers/runners to participate, raise funds and awareness to support the work of the Arthritis Society.

Interested participants have the option of choosing between a two, five and 10 kilometre course and can register at arthritis.ca/jinglebellwalk. Registration fees start at $15 for participants under 12, $20 for students and $30 for adults.

“No donation is too small,” Knight said. “We're hoping to get have a few hundred people join us for this first year and it can all start just by registering. It'll be a fun event that will be helping a lot of people, of all ages.”

In addition to feeling great and supporting an even better cause, participants will also have the chance to win a variety of prizes, including a New Balance footwear and apparel package.

For more information on upcoming events with the Arthritis Society and how you can get involved, visit arthritis.ca.