Kansas City’s Art for Arthritis 2010 Set for Sept. 23rd

AlexanderG Public Relations founder and Principal Alex Greenwood is proud to emcee the Arthritis Foundation’s annual Art for Arthritis event on Thursday, September 23rd, at 6 p.m. at Studio Dan Meiners. Tickets are $50.

When Cassie Schmidt was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at only twelve months old, her family had no idea that in spite of her diagnosis, Cassie would one day use art to serve as an inspiration for children struggling with the same disease. Now ten years old, Cassie has been a participant in Art for Arthritis for six years and spends the months leading up to each event excitedly discussing what her next masterpiece will be.

Her mother and Art for Arthritis partner, Amy, says that the event has been extremely validating for her daughter by allowing her the opportunity to fight back against her arthritis. Amy says, “Art for Arthritis has become the most important thing in Cassie’s life after her family and her faith.”

“I’m thrilled to be asked back to emcee this wonderful event,” said Greenwood, who has emceed the event twice before. “I live with arthritis and have several family members and friends who deal with its effects on a daily basis. I’m happy to help out in any way I can, and challenge the Kansas City business community to support these great kids.”

Most people don’t think about children having arthritis but more than 3,000 children in the Kansas City and Western Missouri area have some form of this painful disease. Our Art for Arthritis event teams 17 local children affected by juvenile arthritis with area artists to spend a summer together creating unique pieces of artwork. The artwork is auctioned off at the end of the summer our gala fundraising event in order to raise money for nationwide arthritis research, as well as local programs and services.

This event, however, is much more than a fundraiser. Art for Arthritis empowers participants by introducing them to children with similar circumstances who can work together to fight against arthritis by raising awareness about their disease and supporting an agency that advocates on their behalf. It also exposes children to alternative forms of expression through granting them access into the local Kansas City arts community.

A Preview Party showcasing the children’s work will take place on September 16th, 2010 at One Park Place from 6 to 10 p.m., in order to generate excitement around the event and to allow the children and artists spend time together with friends of the Foundation.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. The Arthritis Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organization that supports the more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. In its 61st year, the Arthritis Foundation has funded more than $380 million in research grants, and provides public health education, policy and legislation and evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those with arthritis.

To learn more about Art for Arthritis, to donate to the Arthritis Foundation or to register for this year’s event, please visit http://artkc.kintera.org or contact Annie Noonen at anoonen@arthritis.org.