1ST San Gabriel Valley Arthritis Walk raises more than $115,000

May 8, 2008

Teri Lim
(323) 954-5760, ext. 260
tlim@arthritis.org

1ST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY ARTHRITIS WALK RAISES MORE THAN $115,000

More than 700 Walkers Help Raise Funds & Awareness for Arthritis Foundation

Los Angeles The 1st San Gabriel Valley Arthritis Walk, a 5k fundraising walk for the Arthritis Foundation, raised more than $115,000 this morning in Whittier.  More than 700 walkers, including Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-34) and Whittier Councilman Greg Nordbak, turned out at Whittier High School to help raise funds and awareness for the Arthritis Foundation.  The largest team belonged to event sponsor Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, located in Whittier, which brought more than 350 participants.

Silvia Barazza, a 10-year-old resident of Los Angeles who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis last year, served as the Walk’s official child honoree.  ““Participating in the event helped me feel that I was not alone with Silvia’s illness,” said Silvia’s mother, Mayra Manriquez.

Arthritis is more widespread than imagined, affecting 46 million Americans, including one in five adults and more than 300,000 children. The disease also strikes more than 230,000 San Gabriel Valley residents, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.  Arthritis is not an inevitable part of aging – and its impact on people’s quality and enjoyment of daily activities can be managed.  

Hundreds of Arthritis Walks are taking place across the country this spring.  Sponsors for the Arthritis Walk are Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, Enbrel, TripleFlex, BioMet, Pfizer Animal Health, and Arthritis Today.