2009 Lipscomb University Let's Move Together Arthritis Walk
Chris Pepple |
The Arthritis Walk is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. It is a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children doctor-diagnosed with arthritis. This year, Lipscomb University and the College of Pharmacy are the naming sponsors for the Arthritis Foundation’s 2009 Nashville walk, which will be held on campus on Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00 p.m. The walk route is a one-mile or three-mile option.
“The College of Pharmacy at Lipscomb University is honored to host and participate in the 2009 Arthritis Foundation Walk. Our College of Pharmacy is steeped in the traditions of public service, focused on quality health care delivery to those in need and committed to the principles of Christian service to all people. Joining with the Arthritis Foundation is a perfect fit. Our College’s interests include assisting individuals afflicted with arthritis by raising disease awareness while also acknowledging that there is so much more to be accomplished. The ongoing contributions that the pharmacy profession makes through drug research and patient education impacts patients positively with more effective treatments, improving the quality of life for each patient and, ultimately, contributes toward finding a cure for this debilitating disease,” said Roger Davis, dean of the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy.
It’s easy and fun to form a team for the walk. To register, select a team captain and have them go online to officially set up the team. Make sure your team name begins with “Lipscomb” so the university representatives can verify a cumulative total for donations with all campus teams. Lipscomb Locomotion is the College of Pharmacy faculty and staff team. The walk celebrates those battling arthritis and raises money to prevent, control and cure arthritis. The funds raised through the walk directly support arthritis research, health education and government advocacy initiatives to improve the lives of people with arthritis.
Meredith Jones: facing the battle daily
Lipscomb freshman Meredith Jones knows how difficult the daily battle with arthritis can be. Once a competitive athlete playing volleyball for a team which won national competitions, Jones now faces days when she struggles to get out of bed in the mornings. As a teenager, she began to feel significant pain during the course of her day. Her parents took her to physical therapists and orthopedic specialists hoping her pain might be related to a temporary sports-related injury.
“I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis just as I turned 16. It came down to me having to give up sports. It was my decision, but I knew my body couldn’t do it anymore. My arthritis affects my whole body, all of my joints. It took about six months to get the diagnosis and then get my medication regulated correctly. My life changed very quickly,” said Jones, whose grandmother also suffers from the same condition.
Regulating the medication proved challenging for Jones. Her first medication caused her body to break out in hives due to an allergic reaction. Another medication made her hair fall out when she began taking it. Her current medication regulates some of her pain, but also has negative side effects at times. Plus, medications do not completely control the pain.
“Mornings can be very difficult for me. Occasionally I have really tough mornings when I can’t get out of bed. It hasn’t happened often, but I’ve had to call my Mom from the dorm room to get her to come over and help me. Getting a cold or a minor illness can affect my arthritis, and so can the weather,” said Jones, who hopes a lot of people from the Lipscomb community and the larger community show their support for the walk through forming teams, walking or donating.
“I think there is a lot of hope for new medications and maybe even a cure one day. Arthritis affects so many people, young and old. It has changed my life, but there’s still a lot of hope in my life. A lot of doors opened after my diagnosis. I couldn’t play volleyball, so I took a heavy academic load my junior year. I graduated from high school a year early, and now I am studying art at Lipscomb. It was a blessing in my life to accomplish that academic goal,” said Jones.
Join Lipscomb University and the College of Pharmacy on May 3rd to help address the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, rheumatoid arthritis affects 1.3 million Americans. Over 27 million Americans live with osteoarthritis. An estimated 294,000 children under age 18 have some form of arthritis or rheumatic condition; this represents approximately 1 in every 250 children. By registering for the 2009 Lipscomb University Let’s Move Together Arthritis Walk, you are becoming a part of a nationwide movement led by the Arthritis Foundation making a difference in the lives of people in our community and across the country.