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More than 9,000 people are expected to take part in the Walk to Fight Arthritis in 41 communities across Canada this Sunday. ( Rene Johnston/Toronto Star )

More than 9,000 people are expected to take part Sunday in the Walk to Fight Arthritis in 41 communities across Canada.

In Toronto, the walk kicks off at Woodbine Park at 10:30 a.m. and runs through the Beach area with both one and five-kilometre route options.

The Walk to Fight Arthritis is a symbol of how important it is to stay active and healthy, said Janet Yale, president and CEO of the Arthritis Society. Walking is a really important way for people to improve their mobility. Its really core to our mission to get people moving as a way to help them cope with their disease.

The disease affects 4.6 million Canadians 15 and older, or one in six Canadian adults, according to the society. This number is expected to hit 7.5 million by 2036.

Arthritis is not a well-understood disease, Yale said. Many people who have arthritis dont even realize they have it. They may be living in pain, they may have aches and pains in their joints and they may think its a natural part of getting older. It isnt actually. Its a disease.

While arthritis is often perceived as a condition of the elderly, more than half of those who suffer from the disease are under the age of 65.

Now in its eighth year, the walk has raised more than $8 million Canada-wide.

Yale said funds raised from the walk will go towards funding research to find a cure, as well as to support those living with the disease through tools and resources.

There are 15 additional walks taking place across Canada this year. Yale said the goal is to add 10 new communities each year.

Its also really important as a way to bring people together in support of this common cause and to see that there are others like them who are suffering from this disease and how we can improve peoples quality of life through coming together as a community, she said.

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Arthritis walk gets moving Sunday morning - Toronto Star

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