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  • About Arthritis
    Common Topics
    woman holding her wrist What Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbes Inflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

    Patient talking with nurse Newly Diagnosed With Arthritis

    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

    • Understanding Arthritis
    • Arthritis Types
    • More About Arthritis
    • Where it Hurts
    • Related Conditions
  • Treatments
    Common Topics
    Woman holding shoulder Webinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

    Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.

    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    Man with head in hands on bed Webinar: Arthritis Fatigue Causes and Solutions

    Learn the various causes of arthritis-related fatigue and strategies to combat weariness.

    • Treatment Plan
    • Drug Guide
    • Joint Surgery
    • Complementary Therapies
    • Insurance Management
  • Healthy Living
    Common Topics
    Woman with upset stomach Microbiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    man exercising Stairs Workout Demo

    Strengthen your leg muscles and improve your stability to make going up and down stairs safer and easier.

    woman consoling another Arthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

    • Ease of Use Products
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  • Juvenile Arthritis
    Common Topics
    2023 JA Family Summit

    Learn about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, a place for families to connect, share and learn.

    JA Camps

    The Arthritis Foundation’s JA camp programs give kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases the chance to make lasting memories.

    Juvenile Arthritis Volunteer

    • About Juvenile Arthritis
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    Common Topics
    Transforming Clinical Interactions

    The Live Yes! Arthritis community connects patients with others online and in-person for support and education, and encourages patients to play an active role in their health care.

    Partners 4 Patients with Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices.

    Fellowships

    See how we're aiming to address the growing shortage of arthritis specialists, especially in under-served parts of the country.

    • Better Living Toolkits
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  • Science
    Common Topics
    OACS Forum Series

    The Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Forum Series features OA thought leaders from across the globe discussing the future of how the disease can be treated to improve patient outcomes.

    man bandaging boy's knee Conquering Childhood Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

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    Common Topics
    Capital hill Action Center

    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

    LiveYes! Insights thumbnail Live Yes! INSIGHTS

    Share your experience in a 10-minute assessment to be among those changing the future of arthritis.

    woman listening to podcast Live Yes! Podcast

    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

    • Advocacy
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    • Live Yes! Arthritis Community
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Back

A Remote Bike Ride of a Lifetime

Three orthopedic surgeons share their plans to ride the California Coast Classic Bike Tour in support of their patients.

The Arthritis Foundation’s premier cycling event is switching gears this year. For the first time, the California Coast Classic Bike Tour will be run as an all-remote ride. The newly minted event, dubbed the Remote Ride X CCC Challenge (RR X CCC), was created to be flexible and accessible, and in future years, will be run in parallel with the traditional in-person tour down Pacific ­­Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Presented by Amgen, the RR X CCC has no registration fee and will run from October 3 to November 1, allowing riders to log their miles over 30 days. While riders won’t be pedaling down the California Coast together in person, they will still have the opportunity to ride together as a CCC Community — connected as always — and sharing their efforts virtually along the way.

“Our new remote ride will provide a safe and accessible way for our CCC riders to continue this great tradition, while raising awareness and vital funds for invaluable research and resources that aid the arthritis community,” says the event’s organizer, Shannon Marang Cox, associate executive director, Arthritis Foundation, Los Angeles. “Our hope, during these difficult times, is that the remote ride will appeal to both veteran and new riders alike and keep everyone pedaling for the cause.”

In fact, the accessibility of the remote ride is attracting many new riders. We recently talked to three CCC newbies — all orthopedic surgeons — who shared their inspiration and plans for the RR X CCC: Bradley Graw, MD, Sutter Health in Palo Alto; Monti Khatod, MD, Kaiser Permanente in West Los Angeles; and Gregory Heinen, MD, California Sports and Cartilage Institute in Arcadia.

Q: What compelled you to sign up for the California Coast Classic?

Dr. Khatod: I purchased a bike years ago with the goal of riding from San Francisco to Los Angeles on my 50th birthday. Just like my values, which combined to lead me to orthopedic surgery, my lifetime of caring for arthritis patients, combined with my desire to make this wonderful journey, led me to the California Coast Classic. Once I discovered the ride, I have been extremely excited to join the team. Riding is what we love. The Arthritis Foundation and raising money for arthritis research is a blessing that allows us to bring good to what we love. It’s an easy sell.

Q: Do you have to be a serious cyclist or have previous riding experience?

Dr. Heinen: This challenge was outside my wheelhouse. I have always supported arthritis research; however, I have never ridden seriously and had to buy a bike. The CCC was a bucket list journey for me! Now I suspect that I am hooked.

Q: Now that the ride is fully remote, how do you plan to cover the miles?



Dr. Heinen: I was definitely counting on the camaraderie of other riders to carry me through. That being said, I have reached out for motivation from members of my team and other teams who have been very gracious. In doing so, I have opened the doors to a myriad of new bicycling treks, which I otherwise would not have done. Smaller groups are getting together, masked and keeping distance, but remaining motivated, and this is inspiring. I plan to utilize most of the month of October to make my miles. To start, I plan to do multiple riverside trails that lead from the foothills to the beach — a perfect 80-mile round trip for me with some rolling hills to ride and a solid goal to reach each time. My plan is to try to ride each one of these trails during October. With any luck, my final ride will be with a couple of other Arthritis Foundation riders and ride the last leg of the CCC.

Q: Are you doing anything unique to make the ride special?

Dr. Graw: I'm going to make it special by riding half of the miles in Northern California, and half in Southern California. One reason I decided to do this ride is that my wife and I are apart for six months as she finishes a surgical fellowship in Los Angeles, while we live permanently in the San Francisco Bay area. I'm going to spend the time I had booked for the event down in Los Angeles with her and our son.

Q: What encouragement would you offer those on the fence about doing the ride or supporting the Arthritis Foundation — especially during the pandemic?



Dr. Graw: Despite the pandemic, as a joint replacement surgeon we have been extremely busy in the operating room all summer. I've taken care of a backlog of surgeries since March and about 100 major surgeries this summer. People continue to suffer from joint pain and dysfunction, which has been having a serious impact on their sense of well-being. While the pandemic deserves significant mind share at this point, the importance of motion and the problem of arthritis continues. Please support the Foundation!

Q: What message do you hope to send to your patients by participating?

Dr. Khatod: Arthritis is a difficult and disabling disease that relentlessly erodes one’s independence and mobility. Going out and living in the face of this disease is one of the most inspiring acts my patients can do. I encourage them to not live their lives as someone with a disability, and when treated with medications, injections and surgery, I hope to keep them abled and independent.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to support nonprofits like the Arthritis Foundation now more than ever?

Dr. Heinen: Societal issues, like arthritis, never sleep. Optimizing care and pursuing a cure requires tenacity measured in decades and recognizes that persistent small steps lead to great gains. It is especially important during overwhelming times, such as the coronavirus, that we cannot compromise research into the long-term problems that disable many more people, over many generations. We must not forget to think long term.

It’s not too late to sign up and join the Remote Ride X CCC Challenge . Have fun while raising funds — and awareness — to support life-changing resources and research for the 54 million Americans living with arthritis.
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    Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life.

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    Join us and become a Champion of Yes. There are many volunteer opportunities available.

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    Take part to be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis.

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    Partner

    Proud Partners of the Arthritis Foundation make an annual commitment to directly support the Foundation’s mission.

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Ways to Give

Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life. Whether it is supporting cutting-edge research, 24/7 access to one-on-one support, resources and tools for daily living, and more, your gift will be life-changing.

Make a Donation

Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease. Please, make your urgently-needed donation to the Arthritis Foundation now!

Become a Member

Become an Arthritis Foundation member today for just $20 and you'll receive access to helpful tools..... and more.

Make a Honor or Memorial Gift

Honor a loved one with a meaningful donation to the Arthritis Foundation. We'll send a handwritten card to the honoree or their family notifying them of your thoughtful gift.

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I want information on ways to remember the AF in my will, trust or other financial planning vehicles.

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Volunteer


Volunteer Opportunities

The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

Become a Volunteer

More About Volunteering

  • Walk to Cure
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  • Be an Online Community Moderator
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Live Yes! INSIGHTS


Give Just 10 Minutes.

Tell us what matters most to you. Change the future of arthritis.

By taking part in the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment, you’ll be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis, for yourself and for 54 million others. And all it takes is just 10 minutes.

Your shared experiences will help:

- Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes
- Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community
- Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you

Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community.

Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community.  Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis (JA) community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families.

How are you changing the future?

By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

Get Started

Partner


Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

More About Partnerships

  • Partner with Us
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