Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Campaign Plants a 'Can-Do' Spirit in Patients
13 Avril 2004 - 7:20PM
PR Newswire (US)
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
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