Winter 2009 Alerter by David Schultz

A PUBLICATION OF The Arthritis Foundation SERVING San Diego and Imperial Counties

WINTER 2009

ARTHRITIS ALERTER 路 ISSUE ONE 路 2009

Many Thanks to Our Walk Partner! WINTER 2009

IN THIS ISSUE...

Steve Markay, Market Manager for Market 355 and Max Cordova, Market Manager for Market 55, present Arthritis Foundation President, Veronica Braun with a check for $20,000.

THANKS TO OUR WALK PARTNER..............................1 2010 ADVOCACY & KIDS SUMMIT.................................1 JOINT ADVENTURE CAMP . ........... 2 THE FLU: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ............................ 3 ARTHRITIS & THE COMPUTER ....... 4 CALIFORNIA COAST CLASSIC BIKE TOUR .................................... 4 MAKING YOUR LIVING LEGACY COUNT ............................ 5 AUTOS FOR ARTHRITIS .................. 5 PLANNED GIVING ......................... 5 SAVE THE DAY — ARTHRITIS WALK . ......................... 6 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR ............ 6 YOUR GIFT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE .............................. 7

Wal-Mart has participated in our event. Kim Sentovich, Regional Vice P resident for California Wal-Mart served as our 2009 State Wide Honorary Walk Chair and thanks to her encouragement and support for our organization, California Wal-Mart donated over $155,000 statewide and had over 600 walkers! A huge thank you to all of the Walmart Stores in San Diego County as well. They donated over $20,000 locally and had over 200 walkers. In addition, many of their stores provided in-kind water and snacks as volunteers the day of the walk. We are so excited to have Walmart Store as a partner and look forward to working with them in 2010.

RAPPONGI NIGHT OUT ................. 7 TOP TEN ARTHRITIS ADVANCES FOR 2008 ................... 8 JINGLE BELL RUN 2009 . ............... 9

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION SAN DIEGO AREA CHAPTER 9089 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 104 San Diego, CA 92123-1288 PHONE 858-492-1090 FAX 858-492-9248 TOLL-FREE 800-422-8885 EMAIL info.sd@arthritis.org WEB www.arthritis.org The Arthritis Alerter is published by the Arthritis Foundation, San Diego Area Chapter EDITOR: TINA LORIMER DESIGN: TYPESETTRA CREATIVE

Please remember the Arthritis Foundation, San Diego Area Chapter, in your workplace giving campaigns! United Way/CHAD #5515

CFC #5515

ThanK you!

You Can Make A Difference – 2010 Advocacy & Kids Summit March 1-3, 2010, Washington D.C. We need your help in spreading the Arthritis Foundation’s message further and louder than ever before. As an advocate, you can help spread the message to your elected officials that arthritis is a serious disease that millions of Americans are living with daily. Being an advocate is exciting, empowering, easy and fun! The Arthritis Foundation promotes government and private sector action to improve the lives of the 46 million Americans living with arthritis. But we need your help to get more government funding for arthritis research, to encourage early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, and to improve access to quality health care for everyone with arthritis. Please join us reach our goal of recruiting more advocates. If you are already an advocate, we greatly appreciate it and thank you. We challenge you to reach out to family, friends and neighbors, and ask them to become advocates. All advocates should consider attending the annual Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Summit, March 1-3, 2010 in Washington, D.C. It is a great opportunity to join others with arthritis, families, and supporters in telling Members of Congress how they can help make a difference in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis. To register as an advocate or for more information about the Advocacy Summit visit the Advocacy section of the Foundation’s web site at www.arthritis.org/advocacy, send an email to advocacy@arthritis.org or call Sandra Hayhurst 858-492-1090 ext. 124

Together we can make a difference!

Since 1990, the Arthritis Foundation San Diego Area Chapter has been sponsoring Joint Adventure Camp at the YMCA’s Camp Marston, in beautiful Julian, CA, during the month of July. Joint Adventure Camp is a weeklong medically supervised camp for children with arthritis, ages 8 to 17. Along with the fun of summer camp activities, Joint Adventure Camp also provides an educational component for all JA campers. Children learn about their disease, and self-management skills that will help them cope with it in their daily lives. A leadership training program, “Leaders in Training” is also offered to older teens, who have demonstrated leadership qualities and initiative to become future JA camp counselors. The focus of Joint Adventure Camp is to instill a sense of independence, build a support system, and enhance self-management skills for children with arthritis. Our trained camp counselors, many of whom have arthritis, accompany our campers on a week of swimming, climbing, horseback riding, archery, crafts, yoga, and campfires. All activities are tailored to meet the special needs of children living with arthritis. Camp also gives children living with arthritis an opportunity to spend time with others who share similar challenges. It gives them the chance to talk about their disease,

the children, Joint Adventure Camp is the highlight of their summer, if not their whole year. To reinforce these principles, the children and their families reunite shortly after camp at the juvenile arthritis family summer picnic so they can continue to build on their support system. The success of our Joint Adventure Camp, however would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors such as Cox Kids Foundation, ABBOTT, AMGEN-Wyeth, AOII San Diego Alumni, Pfizer, Change of Life Foundation, the Kiwanis Clubs of La Jolla and San Diego Harbor, Community Service Association, and our wonderful and dedicated volunteers who serve as camp counselors, medical staff, and on the Juvenile Arthritis Committee. Joint Adventure Camp mirrors the mission of the Arthritis Foundation to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related conditions. Joint Adventure Camp provides children who are living with arthritis an environment that encourages independence, confidence, and builds their self-esteem. JA Camp fosters a caring, friendly and safe environment where children with arthritis can build a support system, and enhance selfmanagement skills that can help them take an active role in managing their own treatment. Want to volunteer? Get involved? Need additional information, contact Yolanda Salcido (858) 492-1090 ext. 120, or email: ysalcido@arthritis.org.

Joint Adventure Camp 2009

ARTHRITIS ARTHRITISALERTER ALERTER· ·WINTER ISSUE ONE 2009 · 2009

Joint Adventure Camp gives children living with arthritis an opportunity to spend time with others who share similar challenges. It gives them the chance to talk about their disease, share experiences and coping strategies, and to realize that they are not alone.

share experiences and coping strategies, and to realize that they are not alone. The children arrive hoping to have fun for a week and they leave with the tools to enhance their quality of life permanently. For many of

ARTHRITIS ALERTER · ISSUE ONE · 2009

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The Flu: What People with Arthritis Should Know m It’s easy to catch The flu virus travels in respiratory droplets that become airborne when we cough or sneeze. These droplets fly at speeds of up to 320 miles per hour and can land three feet away. That’s why it’s important to give someone who’s obviously sick a wide berth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, an infected person can spread the virus one day before they start having symptoms and up to five days after getting sick. Children can be contagious several days before they have symptoms and up to 10 days after getting sick. Flu season typically begins in late fall, peaks in February and continues through spring.

Not to worry. A study published in 2006 in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases found that people with rheumatoid arthritis who were taking immunosuppressant drugs were able to respond to the flu shot, though they didn’t have as strong a response as healthy adults who served as controls. Because vaccines stimulate the immune system, researchers have also worried that immunizations may trigger autoimmune diseases in people who are genetically predisposed to them. And rarely, people have been diagnosed with autoimmune diseases after being vaccinated. If autoimmune diseases run in your family you may want to weigh the benefits and risks of receiving the vaccine with your doctor.

m Diagnosis

In the past, in order to confirm a diagnosis of the flu with laboratory tests, doctors had to swab a patient’s nose or throat and wait for four days for the sample to be cultured in a lab. When a patient is sick and miserable, it doesn’t usually make sense for a doctor to wait that long before starting treatment, so clinicians o ften skip these tests altogether. m Prevention can But newer tests, which require your keep you safe doctor to swab your nose, mouth or Washing your hands frequently throat, can detect the presence of can reduce your risk of getting sick. flu viruses within 30 minutes, makOne study of army recruits pubing them more useful to doctors lished in the August 2001 issue who are trying to make treatof The American Journal of ment decisions. Preventive Medicine found Keep in mind, that the that those who washed their FLU VIRUS newer tests aren’t as accurate hands an average of seven as the older versions, how times a day cut their risk of ever, and they’re more likely getting a respiratory illness by almost half. The best way to be false positive (they say you have the flu when you to wash your hands, according to the American Public actually don’t) when the number of cases of the flu in the Health Association, is to lather up and scrub for 20 seconds community is low and more likely to be falsely negative (the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday”song twice), (they say you don’t have the flu when you actually do) then rinse. when flu season it at its peak.

m Should you get vaccinated? In general, the CDC recommends flu shots, which are vaccinations to prevent influenza, for children, anyone over age 65 and anyone else who is looking to stay well, particularly if they take care of someone who is elderly or ill. But because the flu can be especially dangerous for anyone who has a chronic illness or an immune system suppressed by drugs, the CDC recommends that people who have autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, get an annual flu shot, which contains a killed version of the virus. Inhaled vaccines contain live viruses and are not recommended for people with autoimmune diseases. There have been two concerns about the flu vaccine for people who have autoimmune diseases. The first is that the medications like methotrexate and prednisone, which work by suppressing the immune system, may keep the vaccine from being effective.

ARTHRITIS ALERTER · ISSUE ONE · 2009

m Treating this Season’s Flu Your doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs that may shorten the duration of your illness and reduce the chances that you’ll infect others, but keep in mind that these drugs work best if you start taking them within two days of getting sick. Antiviral drugs may prevent serious complications from the flu which can include sinus problems, ear infections, bacterial pneumonia, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. So it’s important to seek medical attention without delay if you think you have the flu. For the 2008-2009 season, the CDC recommends that doctors prescribe either oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamavir (Relenza). There are also two older drugs available to treat the flu, amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine), but the CDC is warning that the circulating flu viruses have become resistant to those drugs, so they are less likely to be effective.

ARTHRITIS ARTHRITIS ALERTER ALERTER · ISSUE · WINTER ONE · 2009

Arthritis and the Computer BY DR. DORI NEILL CAGE Is the computer a friend or foe? For those people with limited ambulation, strength or endurance, the computer can be a great asset. Through the use of the Internet, e‑mail, and other computer programs, a person can do their shopping, order library books, look up information and keep in touch with friends. For relatively little expenditure of energy many tasks can be accomplished. Less strength is required to use a keyboard than to write. However, when using the computer, as with any repetitive task, frequent breaks should be taken. This is especially true for individuals with arthritis. Proper set up of the computer area is required to protect the joints, tendons, nerves, and eyes. The chair should allow back support. The knees should be at right angles to the floor. The feet should be flat on the floor or flat on a footrest. The shoulders should be centered over the hips, with the elbows relaxed and flexed approximately 90 degrees. The wrists should be slightly elevated. A soft pad, rolled towel or soft brace can be used to support the wrists. The keyboard should be set at the softest fingering setting. Strain to the neck and eyes occurs when the computer monitor is incorrectly placed. The neck should be straight with the eyes looking slightly down. When referring to documents while keyboarding, the documents should be elevated in a holder or stand. The computer screen should be 18 to 30 inches from the eyes. Glare from harsh lighting should be reduced. The computer mouse is a frequent source of hand, arm and should pain. The mouse should be supported near the keyboard. Ideally, a computer tray should be used that allows the mouse to be used with either hand. Some people find the conventional computer mouse uncomfortable to use. Many alternatives exist, including trackballs, touch pads, and foot controlled pads. The computer station can be modified to accommodate different needs. For those who have trouble sitting, computer stations are available that allow changing from standing to sitting positions. When shoulder and upper forearm discomfort is a problem, padded arm rests attached to the worktable or chair can provide support. For people who have discomfort rotating the hands into a palm down position, split keyboards are available. For those who cannot type, voice activated programs are available. Using the computer should not be painful. If it is, then a close check of your computer posture should be made. Ergonomic devices can be helpful and need not be expensive. Most importantly, remember to take frequent breaks to stretch. Dori Neill Cage, M.D. San Diego Hand Specialist 8008 Frost Street, #403 San Diego, CA 92123 858-715-9200

ARTHRITIS ALERTER · WINTER 2009

CALIFORNIA

COAST CLASSIC

BICYCLE TOUR September 24 – October 1, 2010 Take the ride of a lifetime from San Francisco to Los Angeles Ride along the California Coast. http://www.californiacoastclassicsandiego.org/

Making Your Living Legacy Count It is part of the American Dream to want to leave a Living Legacy…. a significant contribution, to a cause that is close to our heart. It is an element of our culture to want to improve the lives of our children and grandchildren as well as the communities we live in. It is however important to balance our desire to be generous with the practical needs of our daily lives and that of our families, particularly in times of economic uncertainty. For some this means leaving a portion of their estate through a bequest to a favorite charity, such as the Arthritis Foundation. For others, it entails converting an asset to a life income producing gift to enhance their own lives while making a financial commitment to their chosen special cause in the future. Or, it could mean simply a donation of property to a charity of their choice. Most gifts earn a charitable tax deduction or other favorable tax treatment. The Arthritis Foundation offers many complementary gift planning services through our Planned Giving Department. We will work with you and your estate planning professionals and other advisors to help you design a specific plan that meets your particular goals. For more information please contact: Joyce Viet, Associate Vice President of Planned Giving at 800-645-7188 or call the San Diego Chapter office 858-492-1090 ext. 123.

Autos for Arthritis You can donate your vehicle even if it’s not in running condition. We will make all arrangements to pick up your vehicle at no cost to you, and will provide you with the documents you need to claim your tax-deductible vehicle donation. For complete information, call the Arthritis Foundation, San Diego Area Chapter, at 858-492-1090, ext. 123, or email for information at tlorimer@arthritis.org

Please consider donating your car, truck, RV, boat, or trailer to the Arthritis Foundation, San Diego Area Chapter

ARTHRITIS ALERTER · WINTER 2009

Save the Day! Saturday, June 5, 2009

The NTC Promenade at Liberty Station Build Your Team or Join the Arthritis Walk Team for a Cure. Choose from 3 mile or 1 mile walk. In honor of a friend or family member with Arthritis Arthritis Information and entertainment for the entire family. Bring you dogs along for the walk. Start moving today for Better Health! Register Today Call 858-492-1090 Ext. 116 Or online http://www.arthritiswalksandiego.org

2009 Volunteer of the Year

Margaret Lopes Margaret was diagnosed with Arthritis in 1987. She attended the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help class and found it very helpful in managing and coping with her disease. She decided after taking this class that she wanted to volunteer and help other people with the same disease. Twenty-two years later, Margaret is still counted on to work in the office every Tuesday morning. Margaret is a consistent volunteer for the San Diego chapter. She has volunteered the most years of any volunteer since the chapter opened. She has never let her physical ailments or personal challenges stand in the way of volunteering. Margaret helps with all general office duties including filing, mailings and arthritis literature distributions. Because of her consistent service, people with arthritis receive the necessary literature and information when requested to help improve their life. Whatever she does, she accomplishes in an extra ordinary way. A wonderful mother who has raised six children, Margaret is also grandmother of six. She raised her six children while helping her husband get his PhD. Five of her six children graduated from college and three have advanced degrees. When her mother was diagnosed with dementia from multiple strokes, she traveled from San Diego to Pasadena to help care for her. Margaret, herself, experienced health complications because of her Arthritis, she changed her diet and followed a regimented medical treatment plan to manage her health and disease. She is a fighter who will adopt the necessary life style to deal with any challenge and never slow down. Thank you, Margaret, you gifts to the Arthritis Foun- MARGARET LOPES AND DICK KRUMVIEDA, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, dation and the people who affected with Arthritis are COMBINED HEALTH AGENCIES/UNITED WAY priceless. We love you.

ARTHRITIS ALERTER · WINTER 2009

Your Gift Will Make a Difference... ... for the more than 40 million Americans affectedby arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation, San Diego Chapter, improves lives through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis and related diseases by sponsoring support groups, exercise programs, and self-help courses for the 480,000 people living with arthritis in San Diego and Imperial counties.

At the weblink, below, you can click to • Make a donation • Make a matching gift • Receive information about making a contribution to the Arthritis Foundation through your will • Receive estate planning options to benefit the Arthritis Foundation Your donations to the Arthritis Foundation are tax deductible to the extent of the law.

donate now!

In Benefit of

http://BIT.LY/ArthritisDonation

Join Us for a Roppongi Night Out! THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010 6:00 – 9:00 P.M.

Present this certificate to donate 20% of your meal’s proceeds to the Arthritis Foundation RSVP recommended by January 10, 2010 to 858-551-5252 Valid for dine-in only. Not to be combined with other coupons or promotions. Donation made on pre-tax food and beverage sales; alcoholic beverages excluded. One gift bag per party of four. Certificate must be presented at time of purchase to participate in donation.

875 Prospect, La Jolla, CA 92037 858-551-5252 · roppongiusa.com

ARTHRITIS ALERTER · WINTER 2009

he documentation of to further understand its impact the severity and risk for and underlying causes,” said arthritis and the promJohn H. Klippel, M.D., president ise of biologic medications and CEO of the Arthritis Founin treating major forms of dation. “As the baby boomer arthritis are among the top generation ages, advances in 10 most significant arthritis research and the development advances of 2008, according of more effective and safer to the Arthritis Foundation. treatments are critical to helping The Arthritis Foundation’s improve the quality of life annual top 10 list also includes for millions of people with clues to better understandarthritis.” ing arthritis’ origins and the Summaries of each of the increase of government suptop arthritis advances and port for programs to help peostudy findings, as well as ple with arthritis, the nation’s what they mean for people most common cause of disability. living with arthritis are available at Research released in 2008 led to major findings in http://www.arthritis.org/topten2008. the world of arthritis. An important finding released by To develop its annual list of the Top 10 Arthritis the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advances, the Arthritis Foundation sought input found more than half of adults with diagnosed diabefrom clinicians with expertise in various forms of arthrites also have arthritis. Another landmark government tis, scientists from a wide variety of research disciplines, study in 2008 suggests nearly one in two people will and organizations with an interest in arthritis and develop painful knee osteoarrelated diseases. thritis over their lifetime, with About the Arthritis the highest risk among those The Arthritis Foundation’s Foundation who are obese. Top 10 Arthritis Advances Government support at naThe Arthritis Foundation is tional and state levels to help the leading health organization of 2008 include: people with arthritis continued addressing the needs of some • House passage of landmark arthritis to gain ground in 2008. The U.S. 46 million Americans living with legislation House of Representatives passed arthritis, the nation’s most com• Early, aggressive therapy best for the Arthritis Prevention Control mon cause of disability. Founded rheumatoid arthritis and Cure Act, which seeks to in 1948, with headquarters in expand and strengthen research • New oral treatment for rheumatoid Atlanta, the Arthritis Foundaand public health initiatives arthritis in pipeline tion has multiple service points proven to combat the burden • Arthritis found to hamper activity in located throughout the country. of arthritis and improve access adults with diabetes The Arthritis Foundation is to pediatric rheumatologists the largest private, not-for-profit • Biologic therapies benefit children to provide better care for the contributor to arthritis research with juvenile arthritis 300,000 children and families in the world, funding more than • Cardiovascular risk high in arthritis with arthritis. In addition, the $400 million in research grants increased support and fund• State arthritis programs enhanced since 1948. The foundation ing by the CDC of state health • Immune system ages early in arthritis helps individuals take control departments will increase the • G ingivitis and rheumatoid of arthritis by providing public availability of interventions such arthritis linked health education; pursuing public as Arthritis Foundation exerpolicy and legislation; and concise programs, increase public • Nearly half of Americans will ducting evidence-based programs develop osteoarthritis awareness and improve the to improve the quality of life for ability to monitor the burden of those living with arthritis. Inforarthritis. “The prevalence of arthritis continues to soar in the mation is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week United States and the advances made in 2008 help us at 1-800-283-7800 or www.arthritis.org.

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES

TOP 10

ARTHRITIS ADVANCES OF 2008

ARTHRITIS ALERTER · WINTER 2009

FOR MORE PHOTOS OF THE EVENT, VISIT http://XRL.US/JBR2009

ARTHRITIS ALERTER 路 WINTER 2009