Media Release
11th October 2016
THE WORLD IS IN OUR HANDS!
It’s true to say that almost every day, or every week, seems to be an awareness day or week for some kind of disorder,
physical or mental condition, or social ill.
It becomes all too easy to ask “What’s this week’s disease, condition or worthy cause?”
They are all very, very worthy causes. But there is one condition that deeply affects New Zealanders. Over 620,000 New
Zealanders have a diagnosis of arthritis and that number includes 1,000 children and young people. That’s a huge number
and it’s growing weekly.
What’s all this leading to? Well, the 12th of October is World Arthritis Day. Arthritis New Zealand is the national
charity that advises, educates, counsels, supports and represents New Zealanders who live with the condition.
World Arthritis Day is the only day that recognises those living with the condition and the challenges for New Zealand
mirror those internationally.
. The improvement in available medications has ensured that there is no longer the joint damage to hands that alerted
everyone to the fact that you had arthritis. But arthritis still provides a challenge to the many every day tasks such
as opening doors, packaging, doping up buttons and gardening. Have you tried to take the seal of the milk, open the jam
or even your daily medications?
Recently as part of a gardening contest Catherine told us how she had loved gardening for over 30 years. She had had
operations on hands, elbows and knees but wasn’t about to be stopped. She would tug her gardening tarpaulin around with
her teeth, until her son suggested she use his skateboard.
Arthritis New Zealand’s Chief Executive Sandra Kirby says there is no cure for arthritis. But there is a huge amount of
help available in how to successfully manage it, allowing thousands of people to enjoy a good quality of life. and to
remain in the workforce.
Ms Kirby says that Arthritis New Zealand’s message on World Arthritis Day is that New Zealanders have solutions in their
hands. You are always welcome to contact the organisation via the website or the help line 0800 663 463.. Meanwhile, on
World Arthritis Day, she asks New Zealanders just to think about ’its in your hands’ and how we can find answers and
support.
ENDS
About Arthritis New Zealand
• Arthritis New Zealand is a national organisation whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of people
who are affected by arthritis.
• There are 620,000 New Zealanders living with arthritis.
• There are more than 140 different forms of arthritis of which osteoarthritis; gout and rheumatoid arthritis are
the most prevalent.
• Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in our country.
• There is no cure.
• It can affect anyone, at any age, at any time.
• There are 17,940 people receiving sickness or invalids benefits as a result of musculo-skeletal conditions, the
bulk of which will be arthritis.
• Arthritis New Zealand receives only 12 per cent of its funding from government agencies. Without the generosity
of our donors and volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to help those who live with the pain of arthritis every day.
• Arthritis New Zealand is the leader in the provision of awareness, education, services and advocacy for
arthritis in New Zealand.