Walk this wayNirmala Natarajan (CONTRIBUTOR)22 November 2007
A 'STEPS for Arthritis’ Walkathon will be held tomorrow (November 23) under the patronage of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The Walkathon is aimed to benefit the Emirates Arthritis Foundation (EAF), an establishment which increases awareness about arthritis in the region and works towards improving the quality of life of patients.
The EAF was launched in April 2006 in an effort to make a tangible difference to the lives of arthritis sufferers in the UAE.
The Walkathon, sponsored by Dubai Festival City, is also supported by Rivoli, Arwa, Anlene and Roche. The scenic route of the Walkathon, through the Al Badia residential community overlooking the golf course, will begin and end at the Dubai Festival City.
School children, EAF volunteers, journalists, a few arthritis patients with their families as well as Dubai Festival City management are expected to participate in the walk. The registration fee is Dhs50 and proceeds will go to the EAF Endowment Fund that supports arthritis patients.
Speaking at a Press conference to launch the Walkathon, Martina Boor, Assistant Marketing Manager, Retail, Dubai Festival City said: "There will be a jazz band and live entertainment afterwards at the Dubai Festival City so families can have a fun day. We look forward to a huge turnout as this will afford a lot of enjoyment to the public and also support a very noble cause. We are hoping to make this an annual event."
"We can really make a difference in the lives of patients who need help to obtain vital treatment," commented Suzanne Al Houby, Vice-Chairperson of the EAF Board of Directors, on behalf of all Board members and the CEO of the Dubai Bone and Joint Center, the umbrella organisation of the EAF.
"So far, the EAF has supported 10 patients at a cost of Dh70,000 each, per year and through this Walkathon, we hope to increase that figure and support more patients who undergo intense pain through this often debilitating condition," she said.
EAF director of operations, Mrs. Cathy Leibman, is extremely enthusiastic about the Walkathon. Being involved so closely with the cause, her passion and longing to help arthritis patients both in terms of the right treatment and funding is amazing. "It is very comforting to see patients who can barely walk begin to lead a much better quality of life" she said.
Participants can register for the Walkathon between 8 and 9am tomorrow at the VIP entrance of the Dubai Festival Centre. The walk begins at 9am and is expected to last 45 minutes. Upon return to the starting point, there will be a morning of fun and entertainment for one and all.
Whilst holding focus on the cause of arthritic patients, the Dubai Festival City also wants to ensure an enjoyable experience for families this Friday.
For further information on the Walkathon, please contact Irina Ionascu of Dubai Festival City on 050 5592184
'There is a general misconception that arthritis only affects old people'
To find out more about the types of arthritis, causes, prevention and medication, City Times spoke to Dr Humeira Badsha, Specialist Rheumatologist and vice-chairperson of the Emirates Arthritis Foundation
DR BADSHA, who came to Dubai two years ago after working in India, SIngapore, Los Angeles and Boston has been with the EAF since then, treating arthritis patients for the past 12 years.
She says: "There is a general misconception that arthritis only affects old people. Older people usually suffer from osteo-arthritis when the cartilage between the bones wears off. However there are over 100 types of inflammatory arthritis which can affect the old and the young (even babies) alike. This happens both due to genetic predisposition and a trigger which causes the immune system to attack the body. Treatment involves regular medications including methotrexate and the newer biological drugs which suppress the over-active immune system and prevents further joint damage."
Asked about the causes of arthritis, Dr Badsha says it is not due to cold weather or diet. However, obesity, lack of exercise and lack of a balanced diet can contribute to it. There is evidence that certain types of arthritic conditions can benefit from the consumption of oily fish, ginger, turmeric, avocado and pineapple. In patients suffering from gout, avoiding red meat and alcohol could help. Stress can trigger the immune system so patients should lead a healthy lifestyle with the right balance of diet and exercise to help prevent as well as reduce the effects of arthritic pain, she explains.
Dr Badsha says that at the Emirates Arthritis Foundation, aqua exercises, yoga and patient support groups complement the administration of drugs to bring greater quality of life. Early diagnosis through awareness, education and screening and the right treatment are extremely important to effectively treat this painful condition
EAF to the rescue
It’s all in one’s attitude, says courageous Katrina Oakeley, Operations Manager Phototechnics/Secretary, Emirates Arthritis Foundation
Katrina was diagnosed with juvenile chronic arthritis at the tender age of one. She was crawling on elbows and then stopped trying to walk. She went through intolerable pain, both physically and emotionally as the disease invaded her feet, wrists, fingers and jaw and challenged her day to day activities.
Determined to make the most of life, she bravely carried on to complete school and college and is now running her business.
She is currently being treated through the EAF with two injections a week and is able to lead a good quality of life. Her tale of physical pain is no match for her extremely positive attitude. "It is important to keep one’s spirits up and to meet life head on. I live an active life and am looking forward to taking my first proper skiing holiday next year!"
"Besides the support of family and friends, the most important thing is not to let arthritis control you. You only have one chance to live your life, so please make the most of it. Don’t let it beat you!"
Katrina is passionate about her work with the EAF and would love to make a difference to this compassionate establishment.
Nael Hammad, 32 years, another arthritis patient says her nightmare started at the age of 28 with pain in the hips, joints and shoulders and it soon invaded his entire body.
There was a time he could barely put on his clothes or even get out of bed. He lost his job and lived through despair. Initially, he suffered with the wrong diagnosis and was given some pain killers and, later, he was advised to replace his hips.
Fortunately, he did not go in for the surgery. He thanks God for the day he was referred to the EAF by a friend. Here, he received not just medical treatment (which involved twice monthly injections) but understanding, care and concern.
Says Nael: "I could never have afforded this expensive treatment and I am deeply grateful to the Emirates Arthritis Foundation for coming to my rescue. Here I received the right kind of knowledge, caring and financial support. Before I came here I was semi-disabled. I now lead a normal family life and have a job again!"
What you need to know about arthritis:
A 'STEPS for Arthritis’ Walkathon will be held tomorrow (November 23) under the patronage of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The Walkathon is aimed to benefit the Emirates Arthritis Foundation (EAF), an establishment which increases awareness about arthritis in the region and works towards improving the quality of life of patients.
The EAF was launched in April 2006 in an effort to make a tangible difference to the lives of arthritis sufferers in the UAE.
The Walkathon, sponsored by Dubai Festival City, is also supported by Rivoli, Arwa, Anlene and Roche. The scenic route of the Walkathon, through the Al Badia residential community overlooking the golf course, will begin and end at the Dubai Festival City.
School children, EAF volunteers, journalists, a few arthritis patients with their families as well as Dubai Festival City management are expected to participate in the walk. The registration fee is Dhs50 and proceeds will go to the EAF Endowment Fund that supports arthritis patients.
Speaking at a Press conference to launch the Walkathon, Martina Boor, Assistant Marketing Manager, Retail, Dubai Festival City said: "There will be a jazz band and live entertainment afterwards at the Dubai Festival City so families can have a fun day. We look forward to a huge turnout as this will afford a lot of enjoyment to the public and also support a very noble cause. We are hoping to make this an annual event."
"We can really make a difference in the lives of patients who need help to obtain vital treatment," commented Suzanne Al Houby, Vice-Chairperson of the EAF Board of Directors, on behalf of all Board members and the CEO of the Dubai Bone and Joint Center, the umbrella organisation of the EAF.
"So far, the EAF has supported 10 patients at a cost of Dh70,000 each, per year and through this Walkathon, we hope to increase that figure and support more patients who undergo intense pain through this often debilitating condition," she said.
EAF director of operations, Mrs. Cathy Leibman, is extremely enthusiastic about the Walkathon. Being involved so closely with the cause, her passion and longing to help arthritis patients both in terms of the right treatment and funding is amazing. "It is very comforting to see patients who can barely walk begin to lead a much better quality of life" she said.
Participants can register for the Walkathon between 8 and 9am tomorrow at the VIP entrance of the Dubai Festival Centre. The walk begins at 9am and is expected to last 45 minutes. Upon return to the starting point, there will be a morning of fun and entertainment for one and all.
Whilst holding focus on the cause of arthritic patients, the Dubai Festival City also wants to ensure an enjoyable experience for families this Friday.
For further information on the Walkathon, please contact Irina Ionascu of Dubai Festival City on 050 5592184
'There is a general misconception that arthritis only affects old people'
To find out more about the types of arthritis, causes, prevention and medication, City Times spoke to Dr Humeira Badsha, Specialist Rheumatologist and vice-chairperson of the Emirates Arthritis Foundation
DR BADSHA, who came to Dubai two years ago after working in India, SIngapore, Los Angeles and Boston has been with the EAF since then, treating arthritis patients for the past 12 years.
She says: "There is a general misconception that arthritis only affects old people. Older people usually suffer from osteo-arthritis when the cartilage between the bones wears off. However there are over 100 types of inflammatory arthritis which can affect the old and the young (even babies) alike. This happens both due to genetic predisposition and a trigger which causes the immune system to attack the body. Treatment involves regular medications including methotrexate and the newer biological drugs which suppress the over-active immune system and prevents further joint damage."
Asked about the causes of arthritis, Dr Badsha says it is not due to cold weather or diet. However, obesity, lack of exercise and lack of a balanced diet can contribute to it. There is evidence that certain types of arthritic conditions can benefit from the consumption of oily fish, ginger, turmeric, avocado and pineapple. In patients suffering from gout, avoiding red meat and alcohol could help. Stress can trigger the immune system so patients should lead a healthy lifestyle with the right balance of diet and exercise to help prevent as well as reduce the effects of arthritic pain, she explains.
Dr Badsha says that at the Emirates Arthritis Foundation, aqua exercises, yoga and patient support groups complement the administration of drugs to bring greater quality of life. Early diagnosis through awareness, education and screening and the right treatment are extremely important to effectively treat this painful condition
EAF to the rescue
It’s all in one’s attitude, says courageous Katrina Oakeley, Operations Manager Phototechnics/Secretary, Emirates Arthritis Foundation
Katrina was diagnosed with juvenile chronic arthritis at the tender age of one. She was crawling on elbows and then stopped trying to walk. She went through intolerable pain, both physically and emotionally as the disease invaded her feet, wrists, fingers and jaw and challenged her day to day activities.
Determined to make the most of life, she bravely carried on to complete school and college and is now running her business.
She is currently being treated through the EAF with two injections a week and is able to lead a good quality of life. Her tale of physical pain is no match for her extremely positive attitude. "It is important to keep one’s spirits up and to meet life head on. I live an active life and am looking forward to taking my first proper skiing holiday next year!"
"Besides the support of family and friends, the most important thing is not to let arthritis control you. You only have one chance to live your life, so please make the most of it. Don’t let it beat you!"
Katrina is passionate about her work with the EAF and would love to make a difference to this compassionate establishment.
Nael Hammad, 32 years, another arthritis patient says her nightmare started at the age of 28 with pain in the hips, joints and shoulders and it soon invaded his entire body.
There was a time he could barely put on his clothes or even get out of bed. He lost his job and lived through despair. Initially, he suffered with the wrong diagnosis and was given some pain killers and, later, he was advised to replace his hips.
Fortunately, he did not go in for the surgery. He thanks God for the day he was referred to the EAF by a friend. Here, he received not just medical treatment (which involved twice monthly injections) but understanding, care and concern.
Says Nael: "I could never have afforded this expensive treatment and I am deeply grateful to the Emirates Arthritis Foundation for coming to my rescue. Here I received the right kind of knowledge, caring and financial support. Before I came here I was semi-disabled. I now lead a normal family life and have a job again!"
What you need to know about arthritis:
No comments:
Post a Comment