Did you know that 1 in 3 Americans will get arthritis? It’s true. Did you know that losing as little as 11 pounds can cut your risk of osteoarthritis of the knees by 50 percent 
Nearly 35,000 Santa Clarita residents alone are affected by the disease. Cheri Fleming, co-chair of Arthritis Walk and owner of Valencia Acura found out first-hand many years ago how the progressively debilitating effects of the number one cause of disability in America can change a person’s life. “When I was 29 years old I noticed my knuckles were swelling and I couldn’t open a jar of peanut butter. I was in serious denial and then a simple blood test confirmed it to be true. I had arthritis,” says Fleming. For years Fleming lived with the progressively worsening affects. “I thought that if I didn’t talk about it, people wouldn’t notice,” admits Fleming. Now she is a firm believer in early diagnosis and treatment. “It was a devastating diagnosis,” says Fleming, who was determined to overcome it and move ahead with her life. Injectable drugs stopped the progression. But, then a neck surgery became necessary and now she is on the firm road to recovery. “It truly is up to you. We all have something to deal with and I willed mine away,” says Fleming, whose story is all too familiar. That is why she is dedicated to a cure for the disease and is this years co-chair, with her husband Don, of the Santa Clarita Valley Arthritis Walk to be held on Sunday, April 29 at Bridgeport Community Park in Valencia. Honorary walk chairperson, assemblyman Cameron Smyth, 38th district was on hand for a recent Arthritis walk kick-off event and said, “I sometimes forget during my travels around the state that not every city is like Santa Clarita. This kind of community support is what makes and keeps Santa Clarita a great place to live.” The Arthritis Foundation’s nationwide walking event raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, causing various degrees of pain to 46 million Americans. Dr. Peng Fan, Flemings doctor and the Arthritis foundation have some tips for preventing arthritis: 1. Lose weight. Extra pounds put four times the stress on your knees. Even a small amount of weight loss will give your knees relief. 2. Boost your calcium intake. A diet rich in calcium from milk, broccoli, kale, figs and salmon can lower your risk of osteoarthritis. 3. Walk, garden, jog, swim and enjoy the relaxing benefits of the great outdoors. 4. Quit smoking. Smoking can reduce bone mass that leads to osteoporosis. 5. Work smart by creating a body-friendly workstation. 6. Relieve stress by taking a vacation, getting a massage, journaling, taking a bath or applying cold to sore spots to reduce pain and swelling. 
Build your arthritis walk fundraising team today and help to work toward a time when it no longer hurts for the millions affected by Arthritis. Registration opens at 8 a.m., the 5k/1 mile walk begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by a festival and refreshments. To register for the Arthritis Walk, visit www.scvarthritiswalk.kintera.org or send contributions to 16633 Ventura Blvd., Suite 550, Encino 91436. 
A Step Toward Freedom From Pain
