KDFW-TV Fox Sports Anchor Mike Doocy to Emcee the Event
Today, the Arthritis Foundation named the Ballpark at Arlington as the new exciting venue for its signature community-wide walk on Saturday, May 3. The organization also announced a name change for the Arthritis Walk, which is now the “Walk to Cure Arthritis.” The new name showcases its commitment to finding a cure and ending the pain of arthritis, the nation’s #1 cause of disability. The Tarrant County and Dallas walks will now be combined into one fun-filled event titled “Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas.” For more info visit: www.northtexasarthritiswalk.org.
“We’re extremely excited about the Ballpark at Arlington because it’s the perfect locale as the Walk toCure Arthritis North Texas continues to grow in popularity and generate increased attendance,” said Shelley Tims, Director, Community Advancement, Arthritis Foundation South Central Region. “Best of all, the Ballpark at Arlington is centrally located which is expected to attract an even wider representation from across the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. We anticipate this will encourage even more people to join the Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas.”
The Arthritis Foundation also announced that Mike Doocy, Sports Anchor, KDFW-TV FOX 4, will return as emcee for the 2014 event. Doocy has been a long-time supporter of the organization and he has graciously served as the Walk emcee for the past five years. “Mike has been a great friend to the Arthritis Foundation, and it’s only fitting as one of Dallas’ leading sport anchors that he joins us again at this fabulous sports venue at the Ballpark in Arlington,” said Tims.
The Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas will be one of more than 130 events across the nation that will be held this May in celebration of National Arthritis Month. The local Walk unites the North Texas community to put an end to arthritis, a chronic disease that affects 53 million adults in the U.S. and approximately 1.8 million North Texans. It also features family festivities, food, entertainment, a pet-friendly environment and loads of fun!
“Arthritis affects people of all ages from nine months to 90 years of age, and the debilitating symptoms are devastating," said Tims. "We are encouraging everyone in the North Texas community to participate in this year's Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas in honor of a family member, friend or the millions of children and adults living in disabling pain. The funds raised during the Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas help support critical Arthritis Foundation research and programs to improve the quality of life and help find a cure for people living with arthritis," she said.
The Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas doesn’t just benefit those who live with arthritis pain; the event also helps fund research that's getting us closer to a cure. The event on Saturday, May 3 will feature a three-mile and one-mile course, as well as fun activities for the entire family. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, it’s not too early to start forming a team for the Walk to Cure Arthritis North Texas in May. The Foundation encourages North Texans to get their company involved or recruit friends and family members to form a team and join the Walk and encourage others to increase their physical mobility to prevent or treat arthritis.
“Team participation is fun and easy by registering online,” said Tims. “A team can be 10 or more walkers joining together to raise money to fight arthritis, best of all the Foundation will provide support and information to help motivate and inspire your group to excel. Let's walk together, support each other and raise funds to find a cure for arthritis!”
To learn more, or to register online visit: www.northtexasarthritiswalk.org.
About the Arthritis Foundation
Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability. The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org/texas) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the unacceptable impact of this serious and painful disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest. The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.