The Arthritis Society salutes Royal Canadian Legion as veterans and volunteers team up for 2003 marathon of peace

TORONTO, Dec. 3 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Legion and The Arthritis Society will be making history as they team up for the September 2003, "In Flanders Fields Marathon", Flanders-Belgium. Canada's war veterans and The Arthritis Society are working together to raise money for arthritis research and programs through the Society's "Joints in Motion Training Team".

"We are honored to have gained the support of The Legion and are committed to making this trip to Flanders Fields an inspiration for the marathon participants while helping to raise money for arthritis research", says Lisa Peters, National Event Coordinator of the JIM program. "The Belgium marathon organizers made a special effort to invite our Canadian team to this historic location because of the bond between the two countries".

Allan Parks, Dominion President of The Legion says, "Flanders Fields is such an important area for Canadian veterans. We feel that the Society's marathon program will inspire participants who are, in fact, running in remembrance of the fallen. Perhaps the people who walk and run in the marathon on behalf of a veteran as their "arthritis hero", will serve to teach some of the participants about the sacrifice so many of our Canadian soldiers made on this historic battlefield."

Joints In Motion is a marathon-training program designed to help people meet their goal of running or walking a full 26.2-mile marathon while also raising funds for arthritis research and educational programs. The Arthritis Society provides their members with a trainer and transportation to one of many exciting marathon locations. Participants are also provided with accommodation, marathon entry and all fundraising materials. The responsibility of the participant is to train and raise a set amount of funds in honour of someone living with arthritis - an "Arthritis Hero". For the Flanders-Belgium, event participants are encouraged to link up with war veterans.

Over the next few weeks, in many locations across Canada, representatives of The Arthritis Society will be inviting media and the public to sign on as participants or donors to the JIM event. This will be an opportunity for the community to meet veterans, their families and learn more about the Joints in Motion program.

For more information on Joints in Motion, visit us at www.arthritis.ca/jointsinmotion or call your local Arthritis Society office at 1-800-321-1433 to find out about the Joints in Motion program in your area.

For more information on The Royal Canadian Legion, visit www.legion.ca

This page was last reviewed/updated on : 12/03/2002