Page last updated 3/16/2006
Register Your Non-Profit with WeCareToo
Enter your search words or phrases and press Search.
View by Location: View Alphabetically:
Arthritis Foundation, Northern California Chapter - AF
Arthritis Foundation (AF) works to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis and related diseases.
Established in 1948, AF is a volunteer-driven, national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for over 120 types of arthritis including:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- osteoarthritis
- lupus
- ankylosing spondylitis
- gout
- fibromylagia; and
- carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Del Norte
- Humboldt
- Mendocino
- Sonoma
- Lake
- Napa
- Solano
- Marin
- Contra Costa
- Alameda
- San Francisco
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- San Benito
- Santa Cruz; and
- Monterey.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these diseases affect 70 million people in the US. Arthritis affects 1 in 3 Americans and is the #1 cause of disability in the US. Of those individuals, women with arthritis outnumber men three to one. Locally, 2 million people have some form of arthritis. Arthritis affects people of all ages, including 300,000 children - more than diabetes, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and sickle cell anemia combined. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the most common chronic illnesses of children.
Arthritis limits everyday activities such as walking, dressing and bathing for more than 7 million Americans. Arthritis attacks the ability to lead a normal life, it inflicts pain, it can disable and it can kill. In 2002, the cost to the US economy of arthritis was $125 billion - $43 billion in direct medical expense and $82 billion in lost productivity. Arthritis accounts for 427 million days of restricted activity, 156 million days in bed and 45 million days lost from work. In 2002, there were 750,000 hospitalizations and 36 million outpatient visits (doctor, urgent care, clinic, etc.) due to arthritis.
The need is great and AF needs great people to volunteer to make a difference in the lives of people living with these diseases. Please join us!
Visit the Arthritis Foundation, Northern California Chapter home page.
