JULY IS JUVENILE ARTHRITIS AWARENESS MONTH

July 23, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Several local and statewide businesses will join forces to support the Tennessee Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and help build awareness for Juvenile Arthritis by hosting “JA Jeans Days” at their offices.  Employees at companies like Baker Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz, PC (with 7 locations statewide participating) and Loews Vanderbilt Hotel will take the opportunity to donate and dress down in jeans to show their support.  

WHAT: The Tennessee Chapter’s “JA Jeans Day” is designed to build awareness for Juvenile Arthritis, one of the most common chronic childhood diseases.  Companies sign on to participate, designate their JA Jeans Day during July, employees donate $5 and get to dress down on that day.  Companies receive stickers, posters related to the event, and JA educational materials to further show support in their workplace.  By hosting a “JA JEANS DAY”, companies help provide funds help to send Tennessee families affected by Juvenile Arthritis to the national JA conference held each year in July, assist in sustaining our new JA Summer Camp, as well as support research!  

WHEN: July 11 has been designated as “Tennessee JA Jeans Day” though companies will participate on various days during the month of July; Baker Donelson will conduct their statewide Jeans Day on July 11; Loews Vanderbilt will host theirs every Friday in July.

WHO: 
Middle Tennessee – Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Doubletree Guest Suites, Old Harding Pediatric Associates, Springfield Pediatrics, Green Hills Pediatric Associates, Baker Donelson (1 location in Nashville)

East Tennessee – Mitch Cox Development, Foothills Pediatric Center/KPA, Family Center of Oak Ridge, Baker Donelson (4 locations in East Tennessee), Tennessee Orthopaedic, LBMC, East Tennessee Medical Group, Kids Choice Pediatrics, Tennier Industries, Home Federal Bank - Farragut Branch and Shaffer Insurance Agency of Knoxville

West Tennessee – Baker Donelson (2 locations in Memphis)

WHY: Of the 46 million Americans affected by arthritis, most often overlooked are the nearly 300,000 children who are also affected by some form of arthritis or rheumatic disease, over 5,600 here in Tennessee.  There are 8.4 million young adults between the ages of 18-44 who have arthritis and millions of others at risk for developing it.  Even though Juvenile Arthritis (JA) is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, it often goes under the radar undetected or misdiagnosed. If left untreated, irreversible joint damage may occur.

Obtaining the correct diagnosis and treatment is also complicated by the declining number of pediatric rheumatologists. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are 218 practicing pediatric rheumatologists in the U.S., which is a doctor-patient ratio of 1,376 patients to every one specialist. There are currently 11 states without any practicing pediatric rheumatologists, causing many children and their families to travel long distances just to seek treatment. These costs for families add to the $128 billion dollar price tag that arthritis costs the economy each year.
While there are some issues that are shared by everyone with arthritis, its impact on school, social life, family relationships, dating, sports, and almost every other aspect of an active, growing young person's life raises special concerns. New coping skills for living with the everyday challenges of arthritis must be learned. Teens and young adults entering the workforce have new issues to face.

About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in Atlanta, the Arthritis Foundation has multiple service points located throughout the country.

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380 million in research grants since 1948. The foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. Information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-283-7800 or www.arthritis.org.
# # #