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Arthritis Foundation Hosts: Walk to Cure Arthritis, Pain Seminars

Arthritis Foundation Michigan

The 2016 Arthritis Foundation Walk to Cure Arthritis in West Michigan  is just around the corner.  And with 31-percent of Michigan’s population having arthritis, the foundation is hoping to pick up steam in the fight against the disease.  It’s the leading cause of disability in the United States.  WGVU reports on a single mother of 3 dealing with rheumatoid arthritis and her role in the battle.

“There are times when the pain is so bad that you just want to give up, but then you have to sit back and realize that giving up is not an option, because what if your determination and your fighting is the one thing that leads us to a cure.”

Holly Hubbard, a single mom of three from Jenison is this year’s adult honoree at the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis.  She’s been battling the debilitating rheumatoid arthritis disease after being diagnosed seven years ago at the age of 32.  She says her journey’s been difficult, compounded by the loss of her father to complications from rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 53.  And now she deals with the day to day pain.

“The only way I can explain it to most, is just imagine when you have the worst flu, that overall body aches and pain, and then multiply that times two, that’s my day to day living.”

Holly says her goal is to educate others and raise awareness, one day, hoping to find a cure.  And that is why, in addition to the walk, the foundation is sponsoring “Breaking the Pain Chain” along with Michigan Pain Consultants.  Here’s foundation Community Engagement Director, Chasity Savage.

“Breaking the pain chain, is a program designed to teach participants about the tools and techniques for breaking the cycle of pain.”

Savage says the series covers topics such as chronic pain, nutrition and exercise plus alternative therapies.  The seminars are being held May 10th, 17th and 24th.  The Arthritis Foundation Walk is Saturday, the 7th at 10am at John Ball Park Zoo. Proceeds got to research for a cure as well as ways to help deal with the pain of arthritis.    You can find more information about both at  

www.arthritis.org/michigan

You can also call 1 855 529 2728 x 6609 to register for the Breaking the Pain seminars.

Jennifer is an award winning broadcast news journalist with more than two decades of professional television news experience including the nation's fifth largest news market. She's worked as both news reporter and news anchor for television and radio in markets from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo all the way to San Francisco, California.