WELCOME!

The Arthritis Foundation, Pacific Region, serves almost 6.7 million adults and nearly 48,000 children with arthritis and related diseases in Arizona, Greater California, Hawaii and Nevada.

We are committed to raising awareness and reducing the impact of arthritis, a serious, painful and unacceptable disease that robs people of living life to its fullest. In support of our mission, we offer education, research grants, advocacy and other vital programs and services to improve the lives of those with arthritis and related diseases.

Arthritis Foundation Winterhoff Scholarship

Applications for the Arthritis Foundation Winterhoff Scholarship, a college scholarship for students with rheumatic diseases, will be accepted until June 1st.

Scholarships are offered to selected, qualified students attending Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona commencing Fall 2012.

For more information about scholarship qualifications and the application process, click here. For the application form, click here.

Take Control of Arthritis

The Arthritis Foundation, Pacific Region, has received a significant grant from the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation to expand the Arthritis Foundation’s Life Improvement Series programs. The goal is to engage people in regular physical activity in order to reduce the pain and disability of arthritis for thousands of Southern California residents in Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange Counties.

Learn More

RIDE 150 MILES OR 525 MILES ALONG HIGHWAY ONE FOR A CURE! REGISTER TODAY!

Cycling is our weapon against arthritis, which is why the Arthritis Foundation’s California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour, sponsored by Amgen, is the Foundation’s #1 fundraising event in the country! Be one of 300 participants who are riding for a cure! You will join hundreds of others from across the country who are raising money to help support research for a cure. It’s you, your bike, the gorgeous California coastline and A GREAT CAUSE! The California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour is a FULLY supported tour that offers rest stops every 15-25 miles, delicious food, accommodations, and memories that will last a lifetime!

We offer TWO TOUR OPTIONS THIS YEAR:

• Saturday, September 15th – Sunday, September 16th: 2-day, 150-mile weekend ride from Buellton to Santa Monica
• Sunday, September 9th – Sunday, September 16th: 8-day, 525-mile ride from San Francisco to Santa Monica

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!

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YOUTH PROGRAMS

Arthritis affects almost 300,000 children in the United States, with almost 42,000 residing within our Regional service area. During the spring and summer, we sponsor several medically-supervised children's camps for children with arthritis and related diseases.

These camps provide children with the opportunity to meet others who share their experiences, and feel stronger and energized as a result.

QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAMS

The Arthritis Foundation offers many programs and services to improve the quality of life for those affected by arthritis, including warm-water and land-based exercise classes, Tai Chi, and self-help courses taught by Arthritis Foundation certified instructors. The foundation also offers community education and free literature to the public. Find out more.

Para Programas en espanol, mire aqui.

RESEARCH

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest non-profit, private funder of arthritis research in the world, and has provided more than $400 million in research grants to more than 2,200 researchers since its inception in 1948.

It is committed to supporting the highest quality research that will lead to the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases.

• Local researchers have received local and national grants of more than $11 million from the Arthritis Foundation since 1997
• To learn about the latest Research advances, visit the Research section of arthritis.org
• You can help fund research for a cure! Contact Vickie Fung at the Pacific Region office (vfung@arthritis.org; 323.954.5750 for more information

New Policy Report Encourages Physical Activity

On May 16 on Capitol Hill, the Arthritis Foundation released Environmental and Policy Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Adults With Arthritis, a resource for making physical activity convenient and accessible for adults with arthritis. The new report aims to motivate health agencies, businesses, recreation facilities, and others as partners in providing physical activity opportunities that meet the needs of people with arthritis.

ADVOCACY

Arthritis Foundation advocates contact legislators at all levels to encourage support of legislation that will improve the quality of life for people with arthritis.

Visit the advocacy section of arthritis.org for more information and to sign up as an e-advocate!

California Advocates Take on Sacramento

Forty five volunteers and staff from throughout California met in Sacramento on May 1 & 2 for Sacramento Advocacy Day. Over 34 legislative visits were made by our advocates to share their stories about the impact of arthritis.

Learn More.

ePUBLICATIONS FROM THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION

Newsletter	2010 Annual Report	ePublications
Choose publications of interest to you, including Mind, Body and Spirit, Arthritis Today, Research Update, Let's Move Together, the Foundation Report and timely news alerts. Click here to register.

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