Visits Local Students at Anacostia High School and Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- To help focus attention on Juvenile
Arthritis, a medical disease that affects approximately 300,000 children in
the United States, the Arthritis Foundation of Metropolitan Washington today
welcomes U.S. Olympic Speed Skater Derek Parra as he visits with students at
several events on March 4th in Washington, D.C.
Parra's visit highlights the kickoff event for Juvenile Arthritis
Awareness Week and the Arthritis Foundation's new "Play it Safe" sports injury
prevention campaign. A series of education, training and volunteer programs
will be held throughout the week of March 3-9.
Besides various media events today, Parra will visit Anacostia High School
in the District of Columbia. He will also meet with congressional members and
staff on Capitol Hill.
Parra, a native of San Bernardino, California, won a gold medal in the
men's 1,500-meter speed skating event, setting an Olympic record. He also won
a silver medal in the 5,000 meters at the recent Salt Lake 2002 Winter Games.
"I'm thrilled to be in Washington to help this great cause," said Parra.
"Thousands of children in the United States suffer from some type of
arthritis, but with proper diagnosis, treatment and exercise, the impact of
this disease can be controlled." "Arthritis is not just a disease for older
people," said Parra. "I came to Washington today to get out the message that
kids get arthritis, too."
Working Hard to Educate Kids
"Our staff and volunteers are working hard to educate kids about the
issues of arthritis, particularly those that involve young people," said
Nicole Carey, President & CEO of the Arthritis Foundation, Metropolitan
Washington Chapter. "Having an Olympic athlete like Derek Parra kick off
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Week will help people of any age understand that
while not curable, early detection, proper treatment and exercise can help
people manage their arthritis."
The Arthritis Foundation's Metropolitan Washington chapter is one of the
oldest in the United States. Each year its network of staff, volunteers and
physicians conduct many outreach programs to educate and inform the public
about the importance of managing arthritis at any age.
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Week marks the beginning of a year long
Arthritis Foundation campaign to raise children's and parents' awareness that
preventing sports injuries during youth can help people avoid arthritis later
in life.
"We are delighted that Derek took time out of his very busy schedule to
stop in Washington and meet with us," said Carey. "We know his message of
staying fit, avoiding injury and being disciplined enough to follow your
dreams resonates with kids of any age."
For more information on juvenile arthritis or for a free Parent's Guide to
Preventing Sports Injuries, contact the Arthritis Foundation at (202) 537-6800
and ask for Kris Naranch at x-3014.
Background
Juvenile arthritis is a general term for all types of arthritis occurring
in children. The symptoms can include pain, stiffness and swelling in or
around joints. Some common forms of juvenile arthritis include juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis, childhood forms of lupus and ankylosing spondylitis.
In October 2000, Congress recognized juvenile arthritis by including it in
the Children's Health Act of 2000. The act addresses the state of pediatric
rheumatology and the lack of adequate research funds for juvenile arthritis.
With only 162 board-certified pediatric rheumatologists in the entire nation,
children are challenged when it comes to receiving proper diagnosis and
treatment. The Children's Act also directs Congress to increase funding for
juvenile arthritis research that could produce new treatments for children
with this very serious disease.
Recent data suggests that knee injuries suffered during youth can lead to
a five-times greater risk of developing knee arthritis later in life. For hip
injuries data indicates the risk increases three times.
The Arthritis Foundation Metropolitan Washington Chapter was formed in
1948. Its mission is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention,
control, and cure of arthritis and related diseases. Working with health
professionals, people with arthritis and their caregivers, the chapter works
to fulfill its mission in the District of Columbia, Montgomery, Prince
George's, Arlington, and Fairfax counties and the cities of Falls Church and
Alexandria.
SOURCE Arthritis Foundation
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Related links:
http://www.arthritis.org
CONTACT:
Randy Coppersmith of Arthritis Foundation,
+1-703-927-7027, or randycop@aol.com
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