Lots to do this week!

Have nothing to do this weekend? I have a hard time believing that! The Arthritis Foundation has LOTS to do this weekend and YOU can join the fun!

For the wine enthusiasts we’ve got an International Wine Tasting in Madison on Saturday, November 7 from 4-7 p.m. at The Madison Club. Here’s a few things you can look forward to:

• Meeting Toni Johnson, co-owner of Professional Wine Consultants, who has achieved the advanced certification of the Court of Master Sommeliers, and is the first and only person in Wisconsin to have achieved that level. Toni will be hosting the special Connoisseurs’ Room from 3-4 p.m. where you’ll be treated to rare wines with unique backgrounds. Limited to 20 people.
• Sampling the wines Whole Foods Market is bringing including nearly 100 varieties from the world’s best vineyards.
• Cleansing your palate with artisinal cheeses and gourmet hors d’oeuvres.
• Satisfying your cravings with single-origin chocolates crafted by Gail Ambrosius.
• Enjoying live music, raffles, games and bidding on silent auction items.

The proceeds of the event will go to support programs, services and important arthritis research. International Wine Tasting tickets are $60, and tickets for the International Wine Tasting, including the Connoisseur’s Room tickets are $110.

More information can be obtained by calling the Arthritis Foundation at (608) 221-9800 or visit http://madisonwine.kintera.org until noon on Wednesday, November 4 to reserve your place.  Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the day of the event.

For the runner’s and walker’s, we’ve got TWO Jingle Bell Run/Walk events happening this weekend. Jingle Bell Run/Walk – Fox Cities is happening at Player’s Choice in Appleton on Saturday, November 7 starting at 9 a.m. and Jingle Bell Run/Walk – Milwaukee is happening at the Milwaukee County Zoo on Sunday, November 8 starting at 8:30 a.m.

If you haven’t gotten to register for the Jingle Bell Run/Walks, you can still register on the day of the event before the race. Please remember to bring your race numbers and jingle bells if you picked up your race packets early.

There is a lot of fun to be had at both events! We’ve got great routes, fun runs, chip timing in Milwaukee, and the gathering of friends and relatives all for a good cause!

Whether you sip, walk or run this weekend, you can be sure that everything you do is helping to raise awareness and funds to support the 1.1 million men, women and children in Wisconsin who are affected by this horrible disease. Help us kick off the holiday season with a toast or a job and bring hope to millions!

 

Physical Activity: The Arthritis Pain Reliever

Joining up with our good friends over at the Wisconsin Arthritis Program, the Arthritis Foundation, Wisconsin Chapter (AFWC) wants you to GET UP AND GET MOVING!

That’s right. You heard it here. You can take charge of your arthritis with moderate physical activity. You can take a walk, ride a bike or take a swim. Whatever you do, get moving. With over 46 million Americans living with arthritis, and many of them discovering that moderate exercise improves the way they feel, don’t you want to join them?

Here’s a way to get started:

You need to get your heart rate up and keep it up for at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. If that seems like too much, you can break it down to 10 minute segments 3 times a day. You can gradually work your way up to those 30 minutes a day. Let your body be your guide and listen to what it tells you. If you can’t carry on a conversation, or if you feel sever pain during the activity, you’re probably pushing too hard.

Aim for being able to keep up a conversation, but not sing while you’re doing your activity. Don’t forget to start and end your activity with a gentler, slower pace to warm up and cool down. Gentle stretching is a great way to wrap up your exercise and improve your range of motion. In just 4-6 weeks, you’ll notice less pain and stiffness.

Want some more ideas for fun fitness?

You can join a group exercise program like the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program or Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program, or self-management programs like Living Well with Chronic Conditions and Stepping On. You can take your kids or grandkids to the pool and swim for 20 minutes. Why not take a 10-minute walk after dinner with friends? Grab a 15-minute bike ride in the morning and take a 15-minute walk in the evening with a neighbor. The more you enjoy your workout, the more likely you’ll keep it a regular part of your life.

Fast Fitness Facts:

With regular moderate physical activity you’ll

• Feel less pain
• Move more easily and do more activities
• Feel more energetic
• Improve you mood and
• Keep your muscles, bones, and joints healthy

Now that you’ve read this handy blog entry on physical activity, get up and get moving for better health. After all, physical activity is the arthritis pain reliever!

Calling all advocates (that’s you, too)!

The Time is Now and Your Voice is Needed   Demand accessible, affordable, and comprehensive health care reform   Take Action! Contact your Members of Congress Now Congress continues to work on legislation to overhaul the U.S. health care system..   Currently, the House of Representatives and the Senate are each preparing separate health care reform proposals and in the coming weeks, these bills will be debated  before the full Senate and House.  The House and Senate proposals each have different provisions that would be beneficial to people with arthritis.  For example, the Senate bill will likely establish a  loan repayment program for pediatric specialists, which would help address the critical shortages of pediatric rheumatologists in the country.  The House bill will likely place an annual cap on the out-of-pocket expenses for an individual at $5,000 and $10,000 for a family.  Please remind your Members of Congress that you want accessible, affordable, and comprehensive health care reform this year.  It is too important for millions of Americans with arthritis to leave the task undone. The Arthritis Foundation supports reforming the current health care system to address the needs of people with arthritis by doing the following: Eliminate the barriers to purchase health insurance due to arthritis (pre-existing conditions); Ensure access to affordable health coverage without full-time employment; Include preventive care and access to evidence-based interventions; Cap out-of-pocket expenses for medications; and Provide loan repayment options for pediatric rheumatologists. The Arthritis Foundation urges you to email or call your Members of Congress and tell them about the health care needs of people with arthritis and to retain the critical provisions described above.

Save the Date!

The Power of 1 – The Voice of Many Save the Date: 2010 Advocacy & Kids’ Summit March 1 – 3, 2010, Washington, DC The Advocacy & Kids’ Summit is YOUR chance to tell Congress about the needs of 46 million adults and 300,000 kids with arthritis. Join fellow advocates in Washington, D.C., and learn how to advocate on Capitol Hill. Meet with your Members of Congress or their staff to educate them about the impact of arthritis. Everyone is invited to participate! Registration for the Summit will begin the first week in November. Stay tuned for detailed instructions. To learn more about the Arthritis Foundation’s Advocacy Priorities and past Summits just visit: http://www.arthritis.org/advocacy-summit.php

World Arthritis Day!

(From www.arthritis.org)

World Arthritis Day, October 12, 2009, is focusing on the impact of osteoarthritis in the workplace, whether that happens to be at an office or at home supporting a family. The theme of World Arthritis Day is “Let’s Work Together.”

To support World Arthritis Day 2009, the head coach of Duke University’s men’s basketball team, Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K), 61,  is revealing how close he was to giving up the game he loved because of painful osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability in the U.S.

The Arthritis Foundation is hoping Coach K can inspire and motivate the 27 million Americans affected by osteoarthritis to take control over their condition through physical activity, weight management and a variety of treatment options, depending on the severity of the disease.

Coach K’s Story

It was during the 1994 season when Coach K first experienced pain and discomfort in his left hip due to osteoarthritis. Over the next five years, the pain only got worse and in 1999, at the age of 52, Coach K was walking with a limp and coaching Duke basketball games from a chair.His mobility was so limited, he was unable to stand up with his team for a “hands on” before a game.

“I really came close to retiring from coaching because the pain was getting unbearable both on and off the court, despite daily medications and physical therapy,” said Coach K. “That ‘99 season could very well have been my last if I didn’t get help.”

After consultation with his physician, Coach K had his left hip replaced in April 1999. The usual hospital stay for hip replacement is three to five days, and full recovery with rehabilitation and physical therapy typically takes three to six months. Coach K underwent rehabilitation from April to June.

Coach K says by June he was back to doing normal activities, but there was a big difference. He was no longer in pain, no longer walking with a limp and his range of motion had improved. In October of 2000, he was back on the court running up and down the sidelines coaching his heart out. He didn’t miss a season.  One year later, Coach K led Duke to its third NCAA national championship further solidifying his reputation as one of the top college basketball coaches of all time.

For more information on Osteoarthritis, click here.

Update from the AF in Washington, D.C.

Congress needs to hear from people with arthritis.  They need to hear about the real needs and legitimate concerns such as eliminating discrimination from insurance policies, portability, and affordability.  The Arthritis Foundation wants Congress to pass meaningful health care reform that will address the needs of people with arthritis. Congress has been actively working on health care reform legislation since last year.  In fact, health care reform legislation has been introduced by some Members for many years now. Currently, the Senate Finance Committee is reviewing and debating its legislative proposal.  Next, it will be combined with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees’ legislation.  Once there is one unified Senate bill, it will move to debate/discussion on the Senate floor.  On the House side, the three committees with jurisdiction over health care have each passed their own legislative proposals, which must be combined together and then move to the House floor for debate.  After the House and Senate pass their respective legislation, a few select Members from the Senate and the House will form a conference committee to negotiate/reconcile the differences between the two bills.  Once the conference committee completes their work and there is one bill, the bill will need to be voted on by the House and the Senate again.  If passed by both chambers, it goes to the President for signature into law. Current expectations are for the legislative process for health care reform to continue until some time in December. There is about 80% agreement amongst Members of Congress for key provisions like eliminating pre-existing conditions when purchasing health insurance.  Members of Congress must remain committed to the task of working through the remaining 20%.  Health care reform legislation is not inevitable, and we must keep up the pressure to make sure Congress knows what reforms are needed to benefit people with chronic diseases like arthritis. Some Arthritis Advocates have been asking about the status of the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act (HR 1210/S. 984) -it is still pending in committee.  However, the same committees that will review and move the Arthritis Act are the same ones writing and negotiating health care reform.  Until health care reform is completed, these committees will not be addressing other health legislation.  Meanwhile, the Arthritis Foundation is advocating for provisions of the Arthritis Act to be incorporated into health care reform legislation where appropriate.  For example, Sen. Brown (Ohio) added an amendment to the Senate HELP committee’s bill to provide for school loan repayment for pediatric specialists-this would include pediatric rheumatologists.  Also, all of the health care reform proposals focus on disease prevention and wellness promotion consistent with provisions of the Arthritis Act expanding arthritis prevention through evidence-based programs. Contact your Members of Congress about Health Care Reform Today

New Web site for Teens with Arthritis!

Want to help teens with arthritis?

Researchers at the University of Minnesota are looking for participants to test out a new Web site for teens with arthritis for 6 weeks starting in November. To be eligible for the study teens must have juvenile arthritis and be between the ages of 14-19.

For more information please call Courtney Wells at 612-624-3620 or email umteens@umn.edu.

WIN a good night’s sleep!

Want to win a Tempur-Pedic Mattress?

Enter HERE.

More fun later…

So much to do in every corner of Wisconsin!

Here’s a short list of things to do from now until December!

For those of you in the Racine and Wauwatosa/Milwaukee area, there are FREE joint screenings going on this weekend: http://facesofarthritis.kintera.org. More locations can also be found on the Web site for later in October!

For those of you attending the Mystery Ball in downtown Milwaukee, we’ll see you Saturday! Be sure and let us know if you’re going to be using valet parking. It is $10 per car. E-mail mgreguoli@arthritis.org for more information.

There is still space for the Wine and Chocolate Tasting in Green Bay at the Tundra Lodge & Resort on October 8. Call 920-330-0592 to register or visit http://www.kintera.org/htmlcontent.asp?cid=92296.

Are you in the Madison area? Check out: http://www.kintera.org/htmlcontent.asp?cid=92832 for the International Wine Tasting at the Madison Club on November 7.

Have RA in the Milwaukee area? Register for the Let’s Talk RA Community Education Forum on October 14 by calling 800-242-9945 or visit: http://www.arthritis.org/letstalkra.php.

Have you signed up for Jingle Bell Run yet? There are locations all across Wisconsin! Visit: http://www.arthritis.org/jbr-locations.php?state=Wisconsin to find one in your area.

Pfew! That’s a lot of things you can do!

HINI and Arthritis – what you need to know

What You Need to Know about H1N1 and Seasonal Flu

A special report for people with autoimmune forms of arthritis.

By Jennifer Davis
Arthritis Today Magazine

09/18/09 Influenza, including H1N1 and seasonal flu, can pose special problems for people who have underlying medical conditions, like some kinds of arthritis; and there are two bugs to worry about this fall.

H1N1, dubbed “swine flu” when it arrived in the U.S. this spring, is currently resurging, sending kids who’ve just barely had a chance to crack open their new school supplies back home to their sickbeds.

And in a few weeks, the seasonal influenza, which tends to peak between November and February, should be back in circulation.

With all those germs around, it’s easy to feel anxious, but don’t put on a moon suit just yet. We’ve gathered some answers to help you stay healthy through this year’s season of dueling influenzas.

For the rest of the article, visit Arthritis Today Magazine online.