May 16, 2013

LAWT News Service

 

The Arthritis Foundation’s Pacific Region office has announced that Gwendolyn Whiting, 13 years old and an 8th grade student, will serve as Youth Honoree at the 2013 Los Angeles Arthritis Walk.  The annual Walk take place on Sunday, June 2nd, Santa Monica Pier, Lot 1 North (next to the Pier), 1550 Palisades Beach Rd.

Attending the Walk will be thousands of adults, teens and children from the greater Los Angeles and Westside areas, who will enjoy a day of fun and fitness while raising funds for a cure for arthritis. Registration opens at 7:00 a.m.; and the Walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. Participants can choose a one-mile or three-mile non-competitive course. Funds raised in the annual Walk support research in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis. More details are available on the Arthritis Walk website: www.losangelesarthritiswalk.org

There are 1.2 million adults in Los Angeles County, and 42,000 children in California, who suffer from Arthritis. In the nation, Arthritis affects more than 50 million adults (1 in 5). The annual Arthritis Walk brings together thousands of children and adults suffering from Arthritis, as well as members of the residential and business communities. The entire family is invited to join others in the community for the Walk. There will be an Arthritis Walk Village, which will feature live entertainment, a Kids Zone, activities, and refreshments.

The Arthritis Walk is the Arthritis Foundation’s signature event that takes place in communities nationwide to raise funds and awareness to fight arthritis, the nation’s number one cause of disability. For more information and to register, call: (323) 954-5750 or visit: www.LOSANGELESarthritiswalk.org

About Gwendolyn Whiting

“Kids get arthritis, too!” Gwendolyn was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome when she was just 9 years old. It started with intense pain throughout her body and at one point prevented her from getting out of bed. To control her arthritis, Gwen goes to Children’s Hospital twice a year to receive Chemotherapy infusion for 7 hours. She is passionate about teaching the community that arthritis is not just an old person’s disease and early and proper diagnosis can lead to less pain and improvement in daily life. A Los Angeles resident, Gwen is 13 years old and in the 8th grade at Millikan  School of Performing Arts Magnet Charter School. She is able to enjoy singing and acting. During the summer, Gwen attends a special camp for children with arthritis, where she feels comforted because she is not the only child suffering from arthritis.

Category: Health