(Press release)

[Waco, TX] - The Arthritis Foundation is calling for people to take action against arthritis by participating in the 20th Annual Waco Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis. The Jingle Bell Run is a nationwide event that kicks off during the holiday season, raising awareness of America's leading cause of disability, while raising desperately needed funds for research, health education and government advocacy to improve the lives of people with arthritis. To celebrate the holiday season, participants tie jingle bells to their shoelaces, don festive holiday costumes and join friends and neighbors in support of the Arthritis Foundation's mission to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases.

The Waco Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis will take place this Saturday, December 5th at 4:00pm. Registration will take place at Heritage Square in Downtown Waco and the 5K, 1-mile and Snowman Shuffle will begin and end at Indian Spring Park in front of the Suspension Bridge. Special guests this year include U.S. Olympian Jeff Galloway and leading the warm up will be Shemane Nugent and the HOT Zumba Team. The 2009 Jingle Bell Run "Hero" is 8 year old Carlee Eudy. Carlee was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was 6. She started having pains in her knee after naps and she would limp and cry. Her Mom just knew something was wrong and after months of testing, blood work and doctors visits they were referred to Dr. Carrasco, a Pediatric Rheumatologist in Austin. Carlee takes a daily dose of Celebrex and Methotrexate once a week but she does not let her disease slow her down. She enjoys painting, swimming, piano lessons and playing with her family.

Arthritis or chronic joint symptoms are more widespread than imagined, affecting 46 million Americans, or one out of five adults and approximately 300,000 children. Here in Texas, arthritis affects more than 3.7 million people.

"The prevalence of arthritis in our nation is surging, and we cannot ignore it. Events like the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Help bring the community together to raise awareness and funds that are critical to the advancement of research, health education and government advocacy," said John H. Klippel, M.D., president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation.

As the nation's largest holiday run/walk event, the Arthritis Foundation's Waco Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis offers a three-mile fun run and a three-mile fun walk a Snowman Shuffle for kids 12 and under and activities for the entire family including the Keep Waco Beautiful Christmas Tree lighting, a visit from Santa, arts and crafts, food, face painting, inflatables and train ride provided by Kaska Family Farm.

The Arthritis Foundation is the only nationwide, not-for-profit health organization helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases -- the nation's number one cause of disability. For more information on arthritis, to volunteer or to form a Jingle Bell Run/Walk team, visit www.arthritis.org or call 254-772-9303.