The short answer is because Arthritis affects over 4.5 million Canadians and that number is growing.
The much longer and more complex answer is that my daughter Laura has had Arthritis since she was 7 years old. Her pain and debilitation was so acute that once her arthritis was properly managed our family vowed to do whatever it took to ensure that the disease did not affect her in the same way ever again.
As we learned more about Arthritis we were shocked to learn that:
- Juvenile Arthritis affects an estimated 1 in 1000 Canadian Children under the age of 16
- There are over 100 forms of Arthritis
- Arthritis is Canada's most common chronic disease
- Women are affected more often then men by many forms of arthritis:
- 60% of rheumatoid arthritis;
- 60% of fibromyalgia
- 90% of lupus
Today there is no cure for arthritis, but a lot can be done to manage the pain and improve the quality of life for those afflicted with the disease
You are cordially invited to view the 12th of Twelve
Saturday December 12th at East York Collegiate. Come and watch mark run 105 1/2 times around the track. Bring your shoes and join me for a few laps. Or simply just watch me go round and round and round and round. I believe this to be the only marathon in the world to be serviced by 105 aid stations! email marktrenton@yahoo.ca for more information.
So if you want, you can even come run with us that day. As little or as much as you want. No race fees but donations to a good cause would be appreciated. I will run all or some of the marathon with him.My final decision will be made in the next couple of weeks, but I would really like to run the distance with him. For now, please donate to Arthritis Research. You can do this at Mark's website.
Visit his site here http://www.12intwelve.com/
I think when you are running that many laps around a track, showing up and supporting Mark at any time during his quest will be appreciated.
We should go by in our Santa Suits too!