Get a Massage and Support the Arthritis Foundation!
I am a member of Massage Envy, and I am proud to say that they have recently become a National Sponsor for the Arthritis Foundation. Why does this make me happy? Well my 7 year old daughter has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA).
She was diagnosed when she was three, but she really started having symptoms at the age of two. Most people don’t realize or even believe that kids can get arthritis. But it’s true. It’s an auto-immune disease that affects around 300,000 children in America. Luckily, over the last 10 years new miracle drugs have been developed and approved for use on children with arthritis! Without these drugs, children with this disease would be faced with lifelong disfigurement and disability due to the crippling effects of JRA.
Why should you care? Over 50 million Americans have some form of arthritis, and it’s extremely likely that you or someone you know will be afflicted by arthritis at some point during your life.
A few years back I became involved with the Dallas Arthritis Foundation to learn more about the disease and how I can help become an active advocate. I’ve never thought of myself as a fundraiser, but I’ve learned that medical research is the key to developing better medicine and discovering a cure to diseases like arthritis. Every penny counts, and with each new contribution comes more opportunities for medical research. I want to be the person who says, “Today I helped a child, mother, or grandmother enjoy a simple task like taking a stroll around the neighborhood. Without pain.” I want to make a difference.
My family participates in the Dallas Arthritis Walk every year. We raise funds for our team that go directly to the Arthritis Foundation to help with research. My daughter has a neighborhood bake sale so she can be involved in the fundraising efforts as well. Our family attends a yearly Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis family weekend conference where my daughter can meet other kids her age suffering from this disease, and the parents receive medical updates, homeopathic and nutritional care guidelines, and emotional & well-being tips.
This year, Massage Envy is a National Sponsor for the Arthritis Foundation. On October 12th, for every massage & facial that they sell, Massage Envy will donate $10 to the Arthritis Foundation. Check it out here: Healing Hands For Arthritis.
Massages are a proven treatment to relieve pain and increase range of motion in the joints of arthritic patients. Getting a facial or massage on Wednesday, October 12th is just one (enjoyable!) way to help fight this disease. To find out more ways to get involved, visit: The Arthritis Foundation.