Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Campaign Plants a 'Can-Do' Spirit in Patients -- Free Garden-Themed Seminars throughout the Country Educate Patients About RA, Newest Treatments, and Tips for Easy Gardening -- ABBOTT PARK, Ill., April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Many people don't think twice about everyday activities like getting dressed, walking down stairs, planting flowers, or holding a baby. But for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), even the most routine activities like these are difficult, sometimes impossible. RA is a serious, debilitating, and incurable disease that can have a devastating impact on quality of life, often causing physical deformities, extreme fatigue and severe pain that can worsen over time. To help people with RA learn about what is possible when their disease is properly managed, Abbott Laboratories is launching the second annual "Can Do with RA" campaign, a garden-themed patient education program designed to provide patients with information on RA and the newest treatment options, share tips for maintaining an active lifestyle, and offer RA-friendly gardening tips. "Gardening offers multiple benefits for people with RA, improving joint flexibility, range of motion, strength, and overall quality of life," said Rebecca Haller, HTM, horticultural therapist, director of the Horticultural Therapy Institute in Denver, Colorado and affiliate faculty at Colorado State University. "For many of my patients, gardening can be an effective as well as enjoyable form of exercise, and simple modifications can make gardening easier for people with RA." Free seminars in 38 markets around the country will bring together people with RA, rheumatologists and horticultural therapists (experts who use gardening to improve well-being). Event attendees will have the opportunity to meet other gardening enthusiasts living with RA, and learn about the latest RA treatment options from a local rheumatologist (RA expert). A horticultural therapist will provide arthritis friendly gardening tips and share advice for making the most of your garden in any climate. "RA can be highly disabling, but the latest treatment innovations are changing the course of the disease and bringing new hope to patients," said Clifton Bingham, M.D., rheumatologist, director of the Seligman Center for Advanced Therapeutics at New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases and assistant professor at the New York University of Medicine. "With the right care, people with RA can live with less pain and disability." According to the American College of Rheumatology, inactivity can increase arthritis-related problems. Many arthritis patients are less fit, weaker and less flexible and have more pain than necessary due to the complications of being inactive. "Through the Can Do campaign we will educate people about the importance of early diagnosis, new treatments and lifestyle tips so they can better manage their disease," said Tim Walbert, divisional vice president and general manager, Abbott Immunology. "The sooner people recognize the symptoms of RA, the sooner they can get appropriate treatment and start feeling like themselves again." The "Can Do with RA" program is being held this spring in 38 markets, including New York City, Chicago, Miami, Boston, Washington D.C., Tampa, Denver, Austin, San Diego and Nashville. For more information about event locations and details, visit http://www.candowithra.com/ or call 1-877-99-CANDO (1-877-992-2636). About RA RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects 2.1 million Americans, with women accounting for three out of four cases. RA causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints of hands, feet and wrists, and often leads to the destruction of joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, the "wear and tear" joint condition and most common form of arthritis, RA is an autoimmune disease where joints are inflamed, often resulting in eventual destruction of the joint's interior and the surrounding bone. The long-term prognosis for patients with RA can be poor, and many patients face disability and premature death. More information about RA, the latest treatment options and helpful resources for patients is available at http://www.ra.com/ . Abbott's Commitment to Immunology Abbott is focused on the discovery and development of innovative treatments for immunologic diseases, like RA. The Abbott Bioresearch Center, founded in 1989 in Worcester, Mass., U.S., is a world-class discovery and basic research facility committed to finding new treatments for autoimmune diseases. Abbott Laboratories is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals, nutritionals, and medical products, including devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 70,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com/ . DATASOURCE: Abbott Laboratories CONTACT: U.S. Media, Kelly Morrison for Abbott Laboratories, +1-847-937-3802 Web site: http://www.ra.com/ http://www.candowithra.com/ http://www.abbott.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/121546.html x

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