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Sometimes, the hardest part of a journey is that first step. For people who have arthritis, that first step, and every one after it, can be excruciatingly painful.
Those who are able to walk with ease can step up and champion this cause June 30 when the Arthritis Foundation hosts an Arthritis Walk at FDR Park, its first in the area. The foundation raises funds and awareness for the disease, which has effected millions, through this annual event that supports those who suffer from its many forms. Though this is just the organization’s second walk in Philadelphia (last year’s was held near City Hall) the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter has been holding the event for years, somewhere different each time.
The walk is open to anyone, those afflicted or those that just want to learn about the condition. This year, people may choose one of two courses, the 1.5 and the 3 mile, with both beginning at 1 p.m. There aren’t multiple tracks, as "the course starts at the boathouse and the participants loop around the pond. Participants can choose to loop around it once or twice," event coordinator Cheryl Lutz said.
The shorter stretch is only one lap around the FDR Park lake, while three miles equals two laps. Participants can find their own level of comfort.
Along the way, sponsors will be handing out goody bags with information and gifts at water stations, including coupons for Whole Foods, a form to send in for a free pedometer, a journal and bandanas for four-legged friends that participate in the walk.
After closing ceremonies, those who raised $100 or more will be granted a special present — a free ticket to that evening’s Phillies-Mets game at Citizens Bank Park. They will walk as a group from The Lakes to the nearby stadium district.
Walkers can thank a good-willed All-Star for their tickets. "We partnered with the Phillies through Jimmy Rollins," Lutz said with enthusiasm, "who has selected us as his charity this year."
Lutz’s decision to bring the fundraiser here was not only driven by support from the Phillies, but by the residents. "We wanted to have more of a community event and we felt that South Philly was a great community to reach out to for our mission," she said.
As a first-timer coordinating the event, Lutz said she wanted to hold it in a neighborhood that would garner maximum participation from all over the city. "We’re really trying to get people out. We want Philadelphia to know we’re here and to be part of a support system," Lutz said. "We did a walk in Chester County and we had 350 people. That was the first time we did a walk in Chester and we’re hoping for an equal amount, if not more, support from Philadelphia."
Though funds generated by the event for research is crucial, its goal is twofold.
"It’s really an awareness event, to make people know that we’re here and that we’re here to support them and provide them with information to help them and make their life a bit easier since they’ve been diagnosed with arthritis. It is a fund-raising opportunity in hopes that we can help improve the lives of those with arthritis, but it is predominately an awareness event.
"All of our fund-raising events, the proceeds go to our programs and a portion of it goes to research to support nationwide research communities."
The Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter uses its funding to host camps and events for those, young and old, with arthritis.
"Kids are getting diagnosed earlier," Lutz said. "This isn’t just an old persons’ disease. This is a disease that effects people as early as 6 months … That’s why we need the funding to support newer doctors to help younger victims. Because of research and technology, a lot of our kids now walk into camp and walk out of camp."
