Greater Southwest Chapter

Arizona

Tai Chi Training!

Participants and Trainers at the

Fall 2009 Tai Chi Training in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The first chapter-wide Tai Chi Training for the Greater Southwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation took place November 13-15 in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Chaparral Suites. Participants traveled from all across Arizona and even New Mexico to attend this Life Improvement Series Training Workshop that teaches instructors about exercises and movements based on the practices of Tai Chi. This joint-safe program has been shown to improve pain, stiffness, flexibility, and muscle strength for those with mild to moderate arthritis. Developed by Dr. Paul Lam, the program features agile steps and range of motion exercises and its movements utilize higher stances. With this training, there will soon be more Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi classes offered in Arizona and New Mexico. Stay updated by checking out our Programs list for new class offerings.

We would like to thank the master trainers for Tai Chi, Troyce Throme and Yong Quing Yang for helping making this an insightful and transformative experience for our participants!

(Left) Troyce and Yong Qing.

(Right) Participants practice movements in the courtyard.

Phoenix Zoo Day!

JA Families ROARRRR for Zoo Day!

On Saturday November 7th, JA families gathered at the Phoenix Zoo to join The Arthritis Foundation for the Rose and Harry Papp Zoo Day. There were over 100 people in attendance, and we had several new families participate. Kids made animal face masks, and as a result, there were many dogs, elephants, and monkeys out and about. Zoo staff showed off some special animals for the families, including a tortoise, a snake, a ferret, and a frog!

Harry Papp guided the train ride around the zoo for the kids, giving everyone fun and informative tidbits about all of the animals.

Meanwhile, parents stayed behind to have a question and answer session with Dr. Michael Shishov, a Pediatric Rheumatologist with Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

A big thank you to Harry and Rose Papp, Dr. Michael Shishov, the Phoenix Zoo staff, and the members of the Corona del Sol Key Club, who volunteered and assisted with this event.

Please check back soon for upcoming events in 2010!!! And don’t forget, the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is December 5th! Sign-up today! Click HERE!

Dr. Michael Shishov talks to parents while kids are shown a desert tortoise!

Kids feel the scaly skin of the snake and

answer trivia questions about the animals!

Let’s Talk RA® Town Hall Meeting

An Honest Relationship with Your Doctor is Important to Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

On Thursday October 22nd, the Let’s Talk RA® Town Hall Meeting was held at the Montelucia Resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona. This free event sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb brought together a patient, a Rheumatologist, and an Arthritis Foundation exercise instructor to highlight the important aspects of managing arthritis. Mark Katz, President & Co-founder of Your Care Partners, LLC was the emcee for the evening.

Through the three featured speakers, the audience learned tips on how to live better with Rheumatoid Arthritis. They discussed ways to talk with your doctor and also manage your health with exercise and nutrition. Dr. Warren C. Rizzo recommended that patients be honest, take notes, and keep a list of three or four important topics to consult with your doctor each visit. An instructive Q&A session followed, with questions regarding everything from the flu, to stress management. Donna Adler ended the evening by leading the audience through a series of Tai Chi and breathing exercises.

We want to thank all those who attended the Let’s Talk RA® Town Hall Meeting for 2009. If you would like to receive a Let’s Talk RA® Kit to learn more about communicating effectively, please click HERE.

Dr. Warren C. Rizzo speaks at the Let’s Talk RA® Town Hall Meeting.

Winterhoff Scholarship Launch!

The Greater Southwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the Arthritis Foundation – Greater Southwest Chapter Winterhoff Scholarship. Since receiving a generous grant from the estate of longtime Tucson residents, the late Dr. and Mrs. Walter Winterhoff, this gift established a scholarship that is the first of its kind for undergraduate and graduate students with rheumatic diseases.

“The Greater Southwest Chapter is thrilled we are able to provide this opportunity to students,” explains Board Chair Carolyn Allen. “The Arthritis Foundation will help change lives and empower patients, whether it is their undergraduate or graduate education.”

Collegiate scholarships are being offered at each public university in Arizona – Arizona State University in the Phoenix Metropolitan area, Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, and the University of Arizona in Tucson. “This has been a collaborative effort and joint launch with all three universities. "A special thank you to everyone involved in this process,” said Vikki Scarafiotti, President Greater Southwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. The Arthritis Foundation – Greater Southwest Chapter Winterhoff scholarship will be funded by the Arthritis Foundation, but managed by each university.

These scholarships will commence in Fall 2010 and are renewable for up to three consecutive years. The deadline for applicant selections is March 1st, 2010, and applications are available now. Interested students should contact their Student Financial Aid Office. For more detailed information and where to apply, please click HERE or on our Scholarship Programs tab.

Our Mission

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

The Arthritis Foundation Greater Southwest Chapter, is dedicated to helping the more than 1.5 million people (or one in every five) including nearly 8,000 children, in Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas, who are affected by arthritis. We have three offices to help meet the needs of those we serve.

PHOENIX TUCSON NEW MEXICO/EL PASO, TX

Community Health Charities of Arizona

The purpose of Community Health Charities of Arizona is to raise funds on behalf of its member health charities through workplace payroll deduction campaigns - the most efficient and effective way of raising funds for charitable organizations. The affiliated health charities of Community Health Charities of Arizona are not United Way partner charities, which generally funds human and social service organizations, compared to our member health charities that are dedicated to finding a cause and cure for a specific illness, disability or disease.