Arthritis Walk set for May 10

The Blair County Arthritis Walk will be held at 10 a.m. May 10 at the Blair County Ballpark, Altoona. The event will be held regardless of the weather.

Participants can walk or participate by listening to music by the Sharptones, visiting with Steamer and clowns, food, face painting and a theme basket fundraiser.

There are no sign-up fees to participate, but each participant who raises $100 will receive a T shirt, and each walker or rocker who attends and has arthritis will receive the official blue hat that signifies “arthritis sufferer.’’

The Arthritis Walk, the nationwide signature event of the Arthritis Foundation, celebrates those battling arthritis while simultaneously raising money and awareness to prevent, control and cure arthritis, the nation’s No. 1 cause of disability. All funds raised directly support arthritis research, health education and government advocacy initiatives to improve the lives of people with the disease.

Tracey Maurer said her family decided to get involved about two years ago since finding out her daughter, Martina, was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. She was 18 months when her parents detected a limp of her right leg. Martina is on injections weekly to help slow the joint deterioration. Her mother also has rheumatoid arthritis and receives weekly injections. About 11,500 children in Pennsylvania alone suffer from arthritis and 300,000 nationwide.

Martina and Tracey Maurer are the Mother-Daughter Duo Honorees for this year’s walk.

Anyone wanting to join a team or form a team can visit www.blaircountyarthritiswalk.

kintera.org and register.

“Everyone is welcome to join our daughter’s team: Martina’s Purple Turtles.’’ Tracey Maurer said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can call Tracey Maurer, walk chairwoman, at 693-2459 or 931-3439 or e-mail Pageant58@aol.com.