'I'm hoping I can help make a difference'

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'I'm hoping I can help make a difference'

Thursday, April 27, 2006

http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/local/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1146126124264690.\

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Deptford resident Rose Burke needs no awareness campaign when it comes to

the debilitating effects of arthritis.

Her 5-year-old granddaughter, Lacie, was diagnosed with a juvenile form of

the disease when she was an infant. The pain progressed to the point where

Lacie could barely walk, though she has twice been in remission.

Burke's 45-year-old sister was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and has

been through numerous surgeries, including a hip replacement.

But not everyone shares Burke's knowledge of the disease's far-reaching

impact, which is one reason why she is participating in the 2006 Arthritis

Walk scheduled for Sunday at Washington Lake Park in Washington Township.

" It affects many more people than most know, I see it everyday, " Burke,

whose team, " Lacie's Wacky Wabbits " has 17 members and sponsorships from

local businesses. " I'm hoping I can help make a difference. "

Participants will walk individually or in teams to raise money for the

Arthritis Foundation -- a national, non-profit organization that supports

advocacy and research efforts related to the disease.

Sunday's event coincides with more than 500 walks across the country,

according to the foundation.

" This is to increase awareness about the problems of arthritis and the toll

it takes the community, " said Barbarics, director of the foundation's

South Jersey office. " Most people think it's an old person's disease and it

affects people of all ages, it does not discriminate. "

More than 42 million Americans had doctor-diagnosed arthritis in 2005 and

23.2 million people were living with chronic joint symptoms, according to

statistics from the foundation.

Taking various forms, the disease generally attacks bones joints and

connective tissues and can cause pain, swelling and loss of movement.

Burke said both her sister and granddaughter constantly have bloodwork done,

and her sister is facing the possibility of elbow replacements.

" You're suffering everyday, " Burke said of arthritis.

The distance for the walk on Sunday is one and three miles. Registration

will begin at 8:30 a.m. near the park's Hurffville-Cross Keys Road entrance

in parking lot C. The walk is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.

s can sign up individually or recruit 10 or more friends to create

their own Arthritis Walk Team.

To register, visit www.arthritis.org or call the New Jersey Chapter, South

Jersey office at (856) 616-8000. Participants can also register before the

walk on the day of the event.

" We welcome anyone to come out, " Barbarics said.