Carolinas Chapter

African Americans experience hip osteoarthritis as frequently as Whites

As part of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, researchers from the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center have found that African Americans have just as many symptoms of hip arthritis as they do x-ray evidence of hip arthritis. The group is not protected from osteoarthritis of the hip as once thought. It is a wake up call for everyone, patients and physicians.  Click Here to View Video

Pat Kropp's article on Exercise & Arthritis is published in the Chapel Hill News and Durham Herald recently.  Pat is an Instructor for the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program.

To read Pat's story, click here! 

Read our Spring 2009 Arthritis Action Newsletter!

Let’s Move Together is a nationwide movement led by the Arthritis Foundation that encourages people to move to prevent or treat arthritis. You can join the movement by committing to walk in your local 2009 Arthritis Walk. But don’t stop there…move daily for better health.   The vision of the Arthritis Foundation is a world free of arthritis pain.  Let’s Move Together to reduce the pain of:

 The 2008 Charlotte Arthritis Walk held at the new U.S. National Whitewater Center on May 31st was a huge success raising over $48,000 for Arthritis Research & Education!

                       

---

Volunteers needed to participate in clinical research studies

Researchers are now seeking patients to participate in three clinical research studies. The   studies will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug in combination with methotrexate and/or other non-biologic, disease-modifying, anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), as compared to using methotrexate and/or other non-biologic DMARDs alone, in treating patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The goal of current RA treatments is to maintain normal joint function by alleviating pain, preventing joint damage, and reducing joint swelling and stiffness. During the last decade, many new treatment therapies have entered clinical practice for RA. However, many patients still do not respond adequately to the available treatments. There remains a significant unmet need for new, effective therapies for patients with this chronic condition.

To be eligible to participate in the studies, volunteers must meet specific criteria including having a diagnosis of active RA and being 18 years of age or older. To learn more about the studies, call toll free 1-877-STUDY17 (788-3917) or visit www.research.com.

Attention Leaders of Our   Life Improvement Series!

Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation® is designed to improve the quality of life for people with arthritis using Sun style Tai Chi, one of the four major recognized styles of Tai Chi. This style includes agile steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. The movements don't require deep bending or squatting, which makes it easier and more comfortable to learn. The program itself consists of 12 movements 6 basic and 6 advanced   a warm up and a cool down. Once becoming familiar with the 12 movements, the program is designed to provide continual challenge by reversing the direction of the movements. This program was derived and adapted from the Tai Chi for Arthritis program and includes copyrighted materials belonging to Dr. Paul Lam and Tai Chi Productions.  

• Tricia Crutchfield recently became a Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor--Read about Tricia's experience... 

Whether you are a current leader or   interested in becoming a leader of one of our exercise or self-management programs, this is the place to be! Also, please update your contact information by contacting Mella Matheson by e-mail mmatheso@arthritis.org   or call 1-800-883-8806, ext. 101. 

For a complete listing of upcoming trainings and on-going programs and services in North & South Carolina.   Ready...let's go! Click here to learn more.  

  
2008 Arthritis Walk

Join the Carolinas Chapter this year to raise awareness throughout North and South Carolina. Visit   2008 Arthritis Walk Home Page   for more information on dates, location, participating and forming a team.

Walk with us this  spring... The Arthritis Walk^®

"Living by Faith"   Team--Arthritis Walk Charlotte

The 2008 Triangle Arthriits Walk in Raleigh, NC raised over  $27,000 and had over 250 participants!     Pictured below are left to right:  Grace Danuck, event chair, Candy Fuller, Community Development Coordinator, Christopher Hooke, youth honoree, and Bettie Cox, adult honoree.       

Scenes from the May 19, 2007 Arthritis Walk Charlotte....

One of our   youngest volunteers!	"Riding in the Arthritis Walk with my best friend!"

Do You Have Chronic Pain Due To Arthritis?

We are conducting a research study for people ages 45- 80 who have moderate to moderately severe osteoarthritis pain. The study will require up to 20 office visits over a year.  

• Compensation is provided for travel expenses.
• All study related exams, lab work, and the research medication is provided at no charge.

For more information or to see if you qualify please call:

Carolinas Research Associates

704-366-3001

DO YOU HAVE KNEE PAIN ON MOST DAYS? IF SO, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH STUDY INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SHOE INSERTS ON KNEE PAIN

In order to participate in the study,

You should .

1)          Have been told by your doctor that you have

              Knee Osteoarthritis;

2)          Be at least 50 years old;

3)          Have knee pain on most days; and

4)          Be willing to travel to Winston Salem, NC for

                  testing.

Eligible participants will receive free knee x-rays and shoe inserts ($40.00 value)

Attention!

If you have a story about how arthritis has affected you or someone you love, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at (704)529-5166.

North Carolina Woman Fights RA with a Paint Brush

After managing 35 years of rheumatoid arthritis, Mary Fredericks, of Greensboro, North Carolina, exhibits her paintings produced with two mobile fingers. Her art landed her a job at Hallmark in 1961, as one of its first African American artists and after years of teaching, it has helped Mary through failing marriage and health. Read more...

Meet the Arthritis Foundation's Carolinas Chapter Board of Directors

Over 350 volunteers help make events and programs a success for the Carolinas Chapter. Individuals from North and South Carolina from prominent corporations comprise the 19 person roster for the Board of Directors. Click here to view the listing of Board members .

Join us on the Road to the Cure!