Media Advisory - The Arthritis Society launching month-long campaign for Arthritis Awareness Month

4.6 million Canadians living with arthritis

TORONTO, Aug. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - This September, The Arthritis Society is launching a month-long campaign dedicated to educating Canadians about this complex disease that affects 4.6 million Canadians. Throughout September, The Arthritis Society will be hosting numerous activities and programs to increase awareness about arthritis including:

• Release of Ipsos Reid Omnibus Survey Results: The Arthritis Society commissioned a survey to research Canadians' attitudes about joint pain and stigma.  The results of the survey will be revealed in a news release on September 5^th.
  
  
• Launch of new arthritis website: Canadians with arthritis now have a dependable go-to resource for managing their disease. A new website (www.arthritis.ca), launching on September 5^th, offers visitors customized information about their type of illness as well as treatment options with advice from experts. Website visitors are invited to explore the new website and participate in our online scavenger hunt to win prizes! For more details, visit www.arthritis.ca/scavengerhunt.
  
  
• Online Facebook events: The Arthritis Society will hold Facebook events during September, featuring health care experts who will discuss topics such as treatment, nutrition and exercise. Participants will be invited to ask questions and share their experiences with arthritis. For more details, visit www.arthritis.ca/aam.
  
  
• "We Have Arthritis" Share Your Photo Contest:  The Arthritis Society is launching a special campaign to raise awareness about the impact of the disease. Participants will be asked to share their photos in order to win a prize. Photos will appear on Flickr, and can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. For more details, visit www.wehavearthritis.ca starting September 5^th.
  
  
• Local events and public information forums will take place in communities across Canada.

For more information on what is happening during Arthritis Awareness Month in your area, please call 1-800-321-1433 to reach your provincial Arthritis Society office, or visit our website at www.arthritis.ca.

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 4.6 million Canadians 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.

SOURCE: Arthritis Society

or to arrange an interview in your region, please contact:

National: Natalie Pavlenko; [email protected]; tel: [phone] ext.3348
Atlantic Region: Melanie Nolan; [email protected]; tel; 902.429.7025 x 222
Quebec: Audrey Lalande [email protected]; tel: [phone], poste 227
Ontario: Penny Tantakis; [email protected]; tel: [phone] ext.3309
Manitoba: Tanya Misseghers; [email protected]; tel: [phone] Ext. 229
Saskatchewan: Erin Marchuk; [email protected]; tel: [phone] ext 225
Alberta and NWT: Cindy Stephen; [email protected]; tel: [phone] x 2234
British Columbia and Yukon: Mike Leland; [email protected]; tel: [phone]