A stroll for a goal

Paul Clinton

Pumping their legs, while they huffed and puffed their way down the

Huntington Beach bicycle path, about 100 charitable souls joined a walk

to raise funds for arthritis.

The fund-raiser, known as “Walk This Way,” brought in about $25,000

for the Orange County-Long Beach branch of the Arthritis Foundation.

Saturday’s event was one of dozens like it that occurred across the

nation as a kickoff for Arthritis Awareness Month.

The event was fairly well attended, even though it was making its bow

for the first time.

“I was pleased with it,” said Suzanne Hoehl, the local branch’s

executive director. “These people were so committed to being out there.”

Walkers started on the bike path along Huntington State Beach at

Newland Avenue at 9 a.m., with walkers heading up to the Huntington Beach

Pier and circling back. The entire route ran five kilometers.

The walkers each brought in at least $100 each for the cause, Hoehl

said.

The event also counted a number of corporate sponsors, including

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. The value retailer sent a team of volunteers and

walkers, and kicked in a cash donation, Hoehl said.

More than 43-million people in this country suffer from one of the

approximately 100 diseases classified as arthritis. The condition occurs,

when the cartilage in a person’s joints degenerates. This causes the

bones to rub against each other and, in some cases, causing excruciating

pain.

Some medications exist to treat the condition, however there is no

cure.

A portion of the funds raised on Saturday will go toward research for

a cure.

Former Mayor Norma Gibbs served as the chairwoman for the event.

Gibbs, who served on the City Council from 1970 to 1978 and as mayor in

1975, suffers from arthritis.

* PAUL CLINTON is a reporter with Times Community News. He covers City

Hall and education. He may be reached at (714) 965-7173 or by e-mail ato7 paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .