The Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Ft. Worth will bring the North Texas community together on Saturday, Dec. 7 to raise funds to fight and cure arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. This annual Ft. Worth holiday tradition will be held downtown at Burnett Park, 501 W. 7th St. The event kicks off at 2 p.m. with a festival, including contests for best costume, best dressed dog, and activities for the entire family. The 1 Mile Reindeer Run starts at 4:30 p.m., with the 5K starting at 5 p.m. UNT Health Bone and Joint Institute has also returned as presenting sponsor for this year’s 22nd Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Ft. Worth. Visit www.fwjinglebelrun.org or text “Jingle13” to 52182 to make a donation using a mobile device.
The local business community is also joining the Arthritis Foundation by putting its support behind the 2013 Jingle Bell Run/Walk with Joe Magnacca, Chief Executive Officer of Ft. Worth-based RadioShack, serving as event chair. RadioShack and UNT Health Bone and Joint Institute, as well as several other local companies and organizations are spearheading teams to participate in this holiday-themed event, which is expected to draw more than 4,000 at Burnett Park.
The Arthritis Foundation’s Team Program is an opportunity for businesses and organizations throughout North Texas to participate in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Ft. Worth. “It’s a great way to build morale among employees and members,” said Martha Earngey, Community Development Manger, Arthritis Foundation. “Several Tarrant County companies, organizations and individuals have already committed to forming Jingle Bell Run/Walk teams. These teams realize the impact of arthritis and are working to help further the Arthritis Foundation’s mission,” she said.
Forming a team and participating in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Ft. Worth is a great way to give back each holiday season. Teams can be made up of co-workers, friends, family members or anyone who wants to run or walk and fundraise for a great cause.
Voted as one of the nation’s “Most Incredible Themed Races” in 2012, the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Ft. Worth is an important way to make a difference in the fight to end arthritis, a serious disease that affects 50 million Americans, roughly one out of five adults and more than 1.8 million North Texans. Contrary to popular belief, arthritis is not an “old person’s” disease. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis that affect people of all ages. In fact, two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65, including 300,000 children.
One of those North Texans is six-year old Harper Shook of Tarrant County who will serve as the 2013 Youth Hero for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis. Harper began showing symptoms at 18-months old when her knee had swelled up to the size of a grapefruit and kept her from walking. With the proper diagnosis, help from her doctors and medications, Harper took her first steps the week before her second birthday. Since then, Harper has developed uveitis in her left eye, yet remains an active youngster who manages arthritis pain and related complications with a light heart and a joyful spirit.
When people think of arthritis, they automatically think minor aches and pains, which is far from the truth. Various forms of arthritis can seriously affect joints, muscles, internal organs, eyes, and also claims the lives of nearly 10,000 people each year. “This is why the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is so important for the North Texas community to raise funds and fight to put an end to this serious disease,” said Earngey.
To learn more about the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis or to register your team today, visit www.fwjinglebellrun.org.
