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Arthritis Association of LouisianaOffering Hope to People With ArthritisArthritis Association of Louisiana provides education and support to adults and children in pain The numbers are staggering. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 70 million Americans -- or one in three -- suffer from arthritis and/or chronic joint symptoms. More than 1 million of those are right here in Louisiana, including about 5,000 children with painful and debilitating joint disease. After the national Arthritis Foundation closed its only Louisiana office last January, a group of patients, family members, and health care professionals touched by the disease launched a new fight against arthritis. They founded the Baton Rouge-based Arthritis Association of Louisiana to provide local programs and services, information and support to fellow Louisianans affected by any of the more than 100 forms of arthritis. Executive Director Karen Kennedy, Board Chair Kenneth Rafferty, Vice Chair Dr. Stephen Pollet and several other board members were long-time volunteers and supporters of the local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. "With the changes taking place within the national organization, our board felt that we wanted to renew our focus on local programs, services and support," Rafferty says, explaining the impetus behind the new group.
A monthly support group for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and their loved ones meets the third Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Arthritis Association's office at 10935 Perkins Rd., Ste. C. No RSVP is required to attend the support group meetings, which are free and open to any RA patient and their friends, family, and loved ones. The RA support group is led by Peggy Graham, whose daughter has the disease, and arthritis patient Robin Mayhall. The Alliance is actively seeking leaders for additional support groups on other forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Those interested in volunteering to lead a support group may call the office at (225) 761-8230. The Alliance's first major fundraiser was the 2nd Annual Team Up for Arthritis Walk and Run, held Saturday, May 22, 2004, in commemoration of National Arthritis Month. The Alliance will present the 5th Annual Camp J.A.M. (Juvenile Arthritis & Me) the weekend of June 11-13 at Judson Baptist Retreat Center in Jackson, La.
Founding board members of the Arthritis Association of Louisiana in addition to Rafferty, who is president of Red Stick Management Company, and Dr. Pollet include Secretary Debbie Bueche, an occupational therapist with BRPT-Lake; Treasurer Sharon Holder, RN, rheumatology nurse practitioner, Ochsner Clinic Foundation; John Hightower, AFLAC; Dr. Stephen Lindsey, rheumatologist, Ochsner Clinic Foundation; Robin Mayhall, corporate communications writer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana; Hillar Moore, Jr., Associated Grocers (ret.); Katy Shepherd, Pinnacle Hospice Care; and Councilwoman Martha Jane Tassin, Metro Council District 6. The most recent figures from Louisiana's Office of Public Health say that one in three people in the state have some form of the disease. The Arthritis Association of Louisiana is the only local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives through continuing community service, education and support of research for the control and ultimate cure of arthritis and related diseases. The Alliance needs your help. To volunteer, contribute, or find out more, please call (225) 761-8230 or visit the website at www.aaola.org.
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The Arthritis Association of Louisiana provides free information in the form of brochures and booklets on arthritis and related diseases; a loan closet of medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, and lift chairs for patients; a lending library of books and videos on arthritis, including exercise videos designed specifically for arthritis patients; support groups; a statewide list of rheumatologists (doctors specializing in arthritis); information on exercise programs available statewide, including warm-water exercise programs; staff members and volunteers available to speak to community groups; support for research, including local research whenever possible; and a website at 
Camp J.A.M. is a weekend retreat for children with juvenile arthritis and their families. It's one of the Alliance's most important programs, as studies show that kids who attend an arthritis camp designed especially for them have better long-term scores on their knowledge and understanding of their disease and coping with its symptoms. Camp J.A.M. will give kids with arthritis and their families a chance to do all the fun activities of a normal summer day camp as well as to meet with doctors, physical therapists, and other health professionals to learn more about the latest in juvenile arthritis treatment and research. Camp J.A.M. is chaired by Dr. Stephen Pollet, who is chief of rheumatology at the Baton Rouge Clinic AMC.
