Sunday, Feb 22, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai: Men, women and children took to the streets to show their support for people with arthritis on Saturday morning for the second annual Steps for Arthritis Walkathon.
Wearing yellow T-shirts or donning fancy dress, about 500 people joined Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to walk 2.5km at Festival City.
Held under the patronage and in the presence of Princess Haya, the Emirates Arthritis Foundation teamed up with Dubai Festival City to raise money for research for those living with arthritis and rheumatism in the Middle East.
"Arthritis is not an age defined disease. When young people with arthritis do not get the right treatment at the right time they can become disabled. It is essential to raise awareness of this disease to prevent damage and disability," said Princess Haya.
The money raised through the walkathon will go towards the endowment fund, meant to treat arthritis patients in need of expensive medications.
Annelies Hodge, 31, a Dubai resident took part with work colleagues to show her support and raise awareness. In her native Australia, Hodge said she often participates in fundraisers and has family members who suffer from arthritis.
"We walked 2.5km which isn't so bad if you're healthy but for someone with arthritis it is much more of a challenge," she said. "It is a good cause and a good way to get other people involved. I think Princess Haya is an amazing woman and we walked with her the whole way," she said.
Dr Aisha Abdullah, Senior Vice-President of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) said raising awareness of arthritis is the main aim of the walkathon and it is crucial that people realise the impact it has on sufferers, which can include young people.
"Through the Dubai Bone and Joints Centre (DBAJ), we have treated some of the people participating in the walkathon. DBAJ plays an important role as the only extensive medical facility for orthopedic disorders in the Middle East - and its former patients here today are a testament to the good work it is doing to improve," she said.
Joint problems: What is Arthritis?Arthritis is an umbrella term used for a group of more than 100 medical conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints - where two or more bones meet.
The most common form is osteoarthritis (OA) and is most prevalent in people over 60, but arthritis in its various forms can start as early as infancy. Arthritis-related joint problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage.
It can interfere with the most basic daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, using a computer keyboard, cutting your food or brushing your teeth.
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
