Tina Wesson Uses Personal Experience with RA
To Bring Awareness of the Disease to the Forefront
CHICAGO, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Tina Wesson has proven that she is the
ultimate survivor on the hit reality-TV series: "Survivor: The Australian
Outback." However, six weeks in the Outback was not nearly as challenging as
her private battle with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As the national
spokesperson for the "Survive and Succeed" educational program, Tina will be
speaking at a local seminar to empower those with RA to live active, healthy
lives, and proactively manage their disease. The seminar, sponsored by the
Arthritis Foundation, Greater Chicago Chapter and Centocor, Inc., will take
place at the Chicago Marriott Downtown, 540 N. Michigan Avenue, on Saturday,
June 29 at 10:30 a.m.
"Managing your RA effectively includes taking the right medication, but
it's also about proper diet, exercise, and making healthy lifestyle choices,"
said Tina Wesson. "That's why I'm here. I want people living with RA to know
that they can control their disease, and not have the disease control them."
Rheumatoid arthritis affects 2.1 million Americans. It is a chronic,
often painful disease characterized by joint inflammation, usually beginning
in the hands, wrists, knees, and feet. The disease affects women more often
than men. Initial RA symptoms include joint pain and fatigue. As the
disease progresses, joints usually become more swollen, inflamed, and stiff.
When inflammation persists or does not respond to treatment, it can destroy
nearby cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments, leading to permanent
disability.
"Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating disease, and how you cope with RA
plays an important role in successfully managing the disease," said Tom Fite,
President, Arthritis Foundation, Greater Chicago Chapter. "We want patients
and their families to leave the seminar with information, support and
inspiration that will enable them to seek the right healthcare team and
effective treatments," says John Klippel, M.D., Medical Director of the
Arthritis Foundation.
If you or a loved one living with RA would like to attend the seminar,
please call: 1-800-735-0096. If you are unable to attend the seminar and
would like further information on RA, please call the toll-free national
hotline for "Survive and Succeed" at 1-800-707-8344 or visit the Arthritis
Foundation's web site at http://www.arthritis.org.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to improve lives through
leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related
diseases. Arthritis Foundation efforts focus on increasing awareness,
education, advocacy and research. The Arthritis Foundation currently provides
more than $28 million in grants to more than 300 researchers to help find
prevention measures, better treatment and ultimately a cure. The Arthritis
Foundation's sponsorship of research for more than 50 years has resulted in
major treatment advances for most forms of arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation works with a variety of organizations and
companies in educational efforts to increase knowledge about arthritis and to
help people take greater control of its impact. Collaborative educational
efforts do not imply that the Arthritis Foundation endorses or recommends any
particular product, medication or treatment. The Foundation encourages a
comprehensive treatment program tailored to individual needs through
discussion with a physician.
About Centocor
Centocor is a leading biopharmaceutical company that creates, acquires and
markets cost-effective therapies that yield long-term benefits for patients
and the healthcare community. Its products, developed primarily through
monoclonal antibody technology, help physicians deliver innovative treatments
to improve human health and restore patients' quality of life. Centocor is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the worldwide manufacturer of
healthcare products.
CONTACT: Jessica Clachko Jennifer O'Neill
Ruder Finn Ruder Finn
212-593-6355 212-593-6385
clachkoj@ruderfinn.com oneillj@ruderfinn.com
SOURCE Centocor, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.arthritis.org
CONTACT:
Jessica Clachko, +1-212-593-6355,
clachkoj@ruderfinn.com, or Jennifer O'Neill, +1-212-593-6385,
oneillj@ruderfinn.com, both of Ruder Finn for Centocor, Inc.
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