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Arthritis Consumer Experts

September 11, 2009
For Immediate Release

WHERE IS ARTHRITIS? TOUR OFFERS ARTHRITIS INFORMATION AND SUPPORT IN KELOWNA
Month-long BC tour conducts public screenings in Kelowna

(Kelowna, BC) — As a part of National Arthritis Month, the Where is Arthritis? provincial tour arrived yesterday to conduct a free public screening for Kelowna residents at Interior Health's Community Care Centre in Capri Mall. The Where is Arthritis? tour has been taking arthritis "on the road" this month to raise awareness for better care, education and prevention of the disease.

Kelowna's tour stop was attended by over 75 people, who came to access support and information about arthritis, and for some, receive a basic arthritis screening by an arthritis specialist to identify possible arthritis signs or symptoms. In addition to the screenings, the tour stop provided take away resources, details about local support programs and information to help Kelowna residents learn more about arthritis and clarify the many myths and misperceptions surrounding the disease and its impact.

"Although it affects one in six British Columbians, many people are unaware of how common arthritis is and the Where is arthritis? provincial tour is a chance to change how our communities see arthritis, to change how we live with arthritis, and to talk about what resources and support are critical to manage our health, wellness, and quality of life," said Cheryl Koehn, President of Arthritis Consumer Experts.

The Arthritis Society is supporting the tour as it visits communities in BC. "Arthritis is a vastly misunderstood disease. People do not know it can strike someone at any age and is actually among the top three chronic diseases in Canada," said Marg Vandenberg, Executive Director of The Arthritis Society, BC & Yukon Division. "The Arthritis Society works to ensure that British Columbians with arthritis have access to timely diagnosis, education, and appropriate care, and this tour will play an important role in supporting those efforts."

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