Show your support and wave for World Arthritis Day 2012

Show your support and wave for World Arthritis Day 2012

Wellington, 10 October 2012 – Arthritis New Zealand is asking New Zealanders to show their support for the 530,000 people in New Zealand living with arthritis by joining the Waving for World Arthritis Day campaign. This year’s campaign, which has generated photographs and videos of more than 50,000 people to date, from over 80 countries around the world, waving their support, aims to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity for people with arthritis. Research has shown that even small amounts of physical activity can not only benefit people with arthritis, helping them to stay mobile, independent and able to participate in society, but are also important in helping to prevent other conditions such as osteoporosis. To highlight the vital role of physical activity, in May this year the World Arthritis Day organisers invited everyone to send in photographs and videos showing people waving their support.

“We are delighted with the response that the Waving for World Arthritis Day campaign has received in New Zealand and would like to thank each and every person who took the time to send in their waving pictures and video,” says Rob Mitchell Acting Chief Executive.

“Waving is a small gesture, but with so many people participating, it’s clear to see that this campaign has generated a huge level of support. We hope that the ‘Waving’ campaign will encourage people living with arthritis in New Zealand to become more physically active.”

World Arthritis Day, which is celebrated every year on 12 October, provides an opportunity for those with arthritis to have their voices heard and to highlight some of the issues they face.’ Waving’ photographs and videos can still be uploaded to the World Arthritis Day website via a computer or mobile device. Simply visit www.worldarthritisday.org/waving and follow the five easy steps. You may also upload your photos onto the Arthritis New Zealand Facebook page.

Key points:

• There are more than 140 different forms of arthritis.

• Arthritis is New Zealand’s leading cause of disability.

• People with arthritis are 5% less likely to be employed than those without arthritis, and there are 17,940 people receiving sickness or invalids benefits as a result of musculo-skeletal conditions, the bulk of which will be arthritis.

• Arthritis can occur to any one at any age, and there are more than 1,000 children in New Zealand living with arthritis.

• Arthritis New Zealand has a team of Arthritis Educators, who provide expert advice and guidance, help people learn how to self-manage and provides up-to-date information about the various forms of arthritis and the treatments that are available. Phone 0800 663 463.

• Gout is a form of arthritis, and New Zealand is the Gout capital of the world.

ENDS

© Scoop Media