Brambleton - In The News

Brambleton Walks To Benefit Arthritis Foundation

Courtesy of Erika Jacobson for Ashburn Today

Indra Books knows what suffering from arthritis can mean and she credits her ability to live with the condition to her ability to stay active.

"The more you're active the better," she said.

Books is applying that philosophy to her work as the volunteer chairperson for the Arthritis Walk in Brambleton, scheduled for Saturday, May 31.

"Arthritis impacts every member of my family, young and old," Books said. The Leesburg resident first became involved with the Arthritis Foundation two years ago as a walker when she wanted to recover quickly from an injury. Then last year, her team won the walk's rookie team of the year award and the Virginia chapter office asked if she would be willing to chair the 2008 event.

"We've been working on this since July," Books said.

The walk will begin at 9 a.m., with in-person registration starting at 8 a.m. Prizes will be given beginning at 10:30 a.m. Books said there is no limit to the number of walkers that will be accepted, but added she hoped most people registered ahead of time to ensure that the walk is prepared for the number of people who arrive the day of the walk.

"People can either join an existing team, or they can register individually, or they can start their own team," Books said. "There is no fee to get started. We just want people to come out and walk."

The walk features both a one-mile and three-mile option for participants, so that walkers can find the path that best fits their ability and their needs. Books encouraged everyone to come out and walk, no matter their ability.

"We don't want them to sit there, we want them to get out and move," she said.

There is no limit to the number of walkers that can participate and Books said she wants "as many people out there walking as possible."

Walkers are welcomed to bring young children in strollers and pet owners are invited to bring their leashed dogs to walk with. There are even two different groups for dog walkers that residents can still join, Books said.

While the money raised by the event will go to arthritis research, Everything and the Dog owner Lydia Best, who is organizing the dog walkers, is planning on making a donation to an organization that deals with dogs that are suffering from arthritis.

"It's not just people that have arthritis," Books said.

Walk organizers have set a $50,000 goal for money raised, Books said, and as of this week, walkers have raised around $17,500.

"We know it's hard times right now for people, but literally every dollar counts," Books said. She said she often encourages people to skip one day of buying a Starbucks drink and donate $5. Online donations are possible for those that are not planning on walking, Books said.

While organization for the event is complete, Books said she is still looking for corporate sponsors. Arthritis & Sports Orthopedics of Sterling, donating $5,000, and Inova Loudoun Hospital, donating $2,500, are the walk's major sponsors.

"Being a sponsor also means you can be a vendor at the event," Books said. "There are going to be tables set out before and after so people can stop by and get information."

To learn more about the walk, register or make a donation, visit www.ArthritisWalkLoudoun.kintera.org.