TORONTO, May 15, 2013 /CNW/ - A 75-person flash mob stopped traffic at Yonge and Dundas streets today to raise awareness of the Walk to Fight Arthritis presented by the makers of TYLENOL® taking place on Sunday, June 9, 2013.
The four-minute street dance featured professionally-choreographed, arthritis-friendly moves set to Reel to Real's mid-90's hit song, 'I Like to Move It'. Photos and videos of the flash mob are appearing on social media sites including You Tube and Facebook. Click the following links to see the video and photos.
The 4th Annual Walk to Fight Arthritis takes place on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at the Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto and at more than 30 other locations across Canada, with proceeds going towards arthritis research, education and services.
The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Federal Minister of Labour and official ambassador of the 2013 Walk, attended today's flash mob.
"Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in Canada," says Minister Raitt. "It is a major health and social issue that has an enormous impact on Canada's workforce, our competitiveness, and the strength of our economy. Today's event is an example of the creativity and resourcefulness that we'll need to create a future free from arthritis."
"We know that over 4.6 million Canadians live with arthritis," says Janet Yale, President and CEO of The Arthritis Society. "Today we stopped traffic but our end goal is to stop this disease. We can do that by mobilizing our efforts and raising awareness and funds to support the cause."
To register for the Walk or to make a donation, visit www.walktofightarthritis.ca. To create your own MOVE IT dance and be eligible for prizes, visit
https://apps.facebook.com/moveitcontest/home.
ABOUT THE ARTHRITIS SOCIETY
The Arthritis Society is dedicated to a vision of living well while creating a future without arthritis. It is Canada's principal health charity providing education, programs and support to the over 4.6 million Canadians living with arthritis and their loved ones. Since its founding in 1948, The Society has been the largest non-government funder of arthritis research in Canada by investing more than $180 million in projects that have led to breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with arthritis. For more information, visit www.arthritis.ca.
ABOUT THE WALK TO FIGHT ARTHRITIS
The Walk to Fight Arthritis presented by the makers of TYLENOL® is The Arthritis Society's signature annual fundraising event. The 4th Annual Walk takes place in over 30 communities across Canada on Sunday, June 9, 2013; in Saskatoon on Sunday, June 2, 2013; and in Prince George on Saturday, June 8, 2013.
In 2012, more than 7,200 Walk participants raised over $1.5 million to support vital research into treatment and prevention, as well as the delivery of resources, programs and services for people living with arthritis. To register, donate, volunteer or fundraise visit www.walktofightarthritis.ca.
Video with caption: "Video: Impromptu street dance at busy Yonge and Dundas intersection entertains onlookers and promotes The Arthritis Society's Walk to Fight Arthritis.". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNxJLmMVLrU
Image with caption: "The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Labour (R), and Janet Yale, President & CEO of The Arthritis Society (L), move it for arthritis at Yonge & Dundas intersection. (CNW Group/The Arthritis Society - Ontario Division)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130515_C7496_PHOTO_EN_26788.jpg
Image with caption: "Flash mob treats onlookers to impromptu noontime performance in support of June 9 Walk to Fight Arthritis (CNW Group/The Arthritis Society - Ontario Division)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130515_C7496_PHOTO_EN_26789.jpg
SOURCE: The Arthritis Society - Ontario Division
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