Arthritis is arguably the most common disability in the United States. To help bring needed attention to the disease and its growing presence, the Massage Envy spas in Peachtree City and Newnan on Sept. 19 will hold the “Healing Hands for Arthritis” fundraiser to benefit the Arthritis Foundation.
An estimated 50 million adults in the U.S. have self-reported, doctor-diagnosed arthritis, according to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). To make matters worse, the study projects that 67 million adults will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis by 2030. And when it comes to children, an estimated 300,000 have juvenile arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control, with the disease affecting girls twice as often as boys.
The prevalence of the disease and the need to bring it more into focus is the aim behind the Healing Hands for Arthritis fundraiser, said local Massage Envy owner Kelly Phillips.
“Last year we decided to switch our fundraising efforts to the Arthritis Foundation because so many of our clients have arthritis,” Phillips said. That effort was the object of similar fundraisers in the 800 Massage Envy spas across the country where nearly $500,000 was raised during the one-day event.
Phillips said $10 from every massage and $15 from each facial will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation.
“Arthritis effects so many people, including children, in so many ways, like with pain and joint damage,” Phillips said. “And there’s been no spotlight on it like there is with things like cancer.”
That will change if Phillips has her way.
“Partnering with the Arthritis Foundation was a natural fit, as we both share a common understanding about the seriousness of the disease, the power of massage therapy to relieve certain symptoms and what must be done to prevent, cure and control it,” Phillips said.
The Healing Hands for Arthritis fundraiser will be held at the Fayette County and Coweta County Massage Envy Spa locations on Sept. 19. The introductory 1-hour massage is $49, with $10 going to the Arthritis Foundation. The introductory 1-hour facial is $59, with $15 going to the Arthritis Foundation.
The Peachtree City store is located at 1215 North Peachtree Parkway in the Kedron Village Shopping Center. The Newnan store is located at 238 Newnan Crossing Bypass. For more information call the Peachtree City store at 678-216-1000 or the Newnan store at 770-252-3000.
