Carolinas Chapter

Welcome! to the Carolinas Chapter!

Serving North and South Carolina.

Our address is:
4530 Park Road, Suite 230
Charlotte, NC 28209

The Mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases.

JULY IS JUVENILE ARTHRITIS AWARENESS MONTH

HOST a 'Jeans Day' to help the Arthritis Foundation!

To find out how your office or organization can get involved, click here...

If you are a runner, cyclist, triathlete or just a person who doesn't sit on the couch all day, Road ID is for you. This awesome piece of gear not only looks good but it could save your life. In the event of an accident, if you can't speak for yourself, your Road ID will. Available in 5 different styles. It's not just a piece of gear - it's peace of mind.  And best of all, when you checkout, you can donate 5% of proceeds to the ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION!  Click the logo below to order your road ID.... 

Ride Along the Blue Ridge - August 9, 2008

 The second annual "Ride Along the Blue Ridge" cycling event at   Banner Elk, NC, will be Saturday, August 9, 2008.   Doug Owen, Cycling Coach at Lees-McRae College  will be the chair again for this fun event.   For more information, contact Stephani Roark or click the logo to register & begin raising  money ⇒

 Congratulations to Winslow & Laura Rogers of Rocky Mount, NC!
  Last year's winners of a Giant Bike valued at $1,000.00. 

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!

                       

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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.   Tai Chi Leaders' Training planned for 2008.

• 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 .

Introducing SunPoints® for Charity^SM , an ongoing rewards program that let's you keep supporting your favorite cause by turning everyday banking into everyday giving.  Learn more >>

SunTrust has made community involvement an important part of the relationships they have in the communities they serve.  Now, as part of their commitment, they are offering a special opportunity that can help you help your community.

SunTrust will donate $100 to the charity of your choice, or you can choose a $50 SunTrust Visa® Gift Card to keep for your own cause when you:  Open a new Personal or Business checking account from now through June 30, 2008, and Accept a new SunTrust Visa Check Card and make any purchase using your new card by May 15, 2008, and Complete and submit a redemption form by May 15, 2008. 

Join us on the Road to the Cure!                                             

If you have an extra car, RV, truck or boat that you don't know what to do with, we have just the solution.  Donate it to the Arthritis Foundation!

You can join us on the road to a cure and fight arthritis, when you donate your vehicle to the Arthritis Foundation. It can be a great tax benefit to you and best of all you will be helping fund promising research, community programs and services as well as education, to make a difference in the lives of one out of every 5 residents of North and South Carolina.

It is fast, easy, efficient, professional and convenient. Your car can be picked up within 2 days! All it takes is a telephone call to our toll-free number 1-800-905-4931; click the link below for more information:

 Autos for Arthritis

 Youth Ambassadors for the Arthritis Foundation Carolinas Chapter

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD MAKE A GREAT YOUTH AMBASSADOR? Please call the Chapter Office at 1-800-883-8806.

Read more...

WE APPRECIATE OUR VOLUNTEERS!!!

The Arthritis Foundation Carolinas Chapter would like to say thank you to the many volunteers that have helped to make a difference in the fight against arthritis and related diseases. Volunteers are needed for the following upcoming events and programs:

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis; Galas/Socials; Arthritis Walks; Tribute Dinners; Educational/Fundraising Luncheons; and Joints-in-Motion Marathons.

Each Arthritis Foundation Carolinas Chapter event offers several opportunities to get involved depending on your level of interest and availability. Please contact the Chapter if you can help! We thank you for your continued support!!

Donna Watson, Columbia Arthritis Walk Chair

The Carolinas Chapter is where residents of North and South Carolina can reach out for help with arthritis. We are located in Charlotte, NC and are continuing to work to increase arthritis awareness through programs, public and professional education and a host of community services.

The Carolinas Chapter helps find a cause and cure through:

• Support to crucial research programs in the Carolinas.
• Contributions to programs of research in major national research centers.

The Carolinas is a hot bed for outstanding arthrits research being conducted at Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, and the Medical University of South Carolina.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES IN PREGNANCY STUDY

The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a non-profit organization established in 1990 and is made up of individual teratology information specialists located throughout North America.

OTIS is currently conducting an Autoimmune Disease in Pregancy Study. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risks of the fetus from autoimmune diseases, as well as the medications used to treat these diseases. This research is extremely important to women of reproductive age, as well as the healthcare professionals who treat these women. This study began in 2000 and to date, has already recruited approximately 400 subjects. This study will continue through 2012, and the goal is to recruit approximately 600 more participants within the next 5 years. To request additional information, please call Teresa Kohls at 877-311-8972, e-mail her at tkohls@ucsd.edu or visit www.otispregnancy.org.
 

The Community Health Charities of North Carolina is a non-profit organization formed in 1982 and composed of the state's leading health care agencies including the Arthritis Foundation, Carolinas Chapter. The goal of the organization is to provide employers and individuals the convenience of "one stop" health assistance, with the ability to direct donations to the specific member health charities that you want to support. If you are a state employee and wish to designate the Arthritis Foundation Carolinas Chapter as your charity, the code to use is 1007. For more information, visit Community Health Charities of NC.
 

Shop at Food Lion and Help Support the Arthritis Foundation's Carolinas Chapter!
Remember to Link Your MVP Card for LionShop & Share and Shop Food Lion Today! Visit Food Lion Shop & Share for more information.

Facts About Arthritis, Research, Programs & Services

Arthritis affects nearly 43 million Americans. That number includes three million children and adults in North and South Carolina. While there are no cures for most forms of arthritis at this time, arthritis can now be treated through medication and exercise, and great strides are being made to find preventions and cures. Over 4.6 million dollars has been awarded to Carolina institutions to support arthritis research in the last four years. Of the 38 Arthritis Foundation chapters awarded research grants in 2003, the Carolinas Chapter ranks eighth highest in the dollar amount awarded.
Equally important as the research we support,the Arthritis Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for people who have arthritis. We do this through the services that are provided, including exercise classes, self-help classes and support groups. Our chapter also provides free literature, doctor referral lists and speakers for corporate, community and civic groups.