250 Cyclists to Ride in Arthritis Foundation's 10th Annual Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour to Raise $1.2 Million

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 250 cyclists will kick off the Arthritis Foundation's Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour on Saturday, September 25, in San Francisco. Participants, who will cycle down the California coastline over eight days, aim to raise more than $1.2 million this year for the Arthritis Foundation. This is the 10th annual Amgen California Coast Classic organized by the Arthritis Foundation, and will finish in Santa Monica at the Yahoo! Center on Saturday, October 2, after covering 525 miles.

"Since 2001, the Bike Tour has raised more than $8 million, which continues to help the Arthritis Foundation support research, education and advocacy for people living with arthritis," said E. Robert Harris, M.D., chair of the Arthritis Foundation, Pacific Region. "It has also been a great way for us to reach out to those with arthritis and their families, as well as increase awareness of this disease."

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Amgen California Coast Classic, the Arthritis Foundation has named 10 youth living with arthritis as the Tour's official honorees. "This is the first year the Arthritis Foundation has named official honorees for the Tour, and that's because we want people to understand how devastating arthritis can be for children," said Dr. Harris. "Arthritis afflicts 300,000 children in the United States, which is surprising to many people. What's more, the juvenile form of arthritis is medically different from the adult form of the disease and is often more severe."  

San Gabriel Valley resident Sean Caro will be participating in the Amgen California Coast Classic for the fourth time on behalf of his 12-year-old daughter Alexa, who will serve as one of the 10 youth honorees this year.  "I'm so proud to ride for Alexa," said Mr. Caro. "She has had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since she was 15 months old and has endured far more than any child should have to." He added, "Her mother and I hope that every dollar raised by the Amgen California Coast Classic will bring us that much closer to a cure."

The Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour is open to adults of all ages and athletic ability. The goal of the event is to raise money to support arthritis research to find a cure, as well as to improve the quality of life for those who are affected by the more than 100 forms of arthritis. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States, afflicting nearly 46 million Americans. Arthritis-related diseases, such as lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and scleroderma, can be seriously debilitating and sometimes life-threatening.

The 2010 Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour will pursue the following route:

1. Saturday, September  25 – San Francisco to Santa Cruz
2. Sunday, September 26 – Santa Cruz to Monterey
3. Monday, September 27 – Monterey to Big Sur
4. Tuesday, September 28 – Big Sur to San Simeon
5. Wednesday, September 29 – San Simeon to Oceano
6. Thursday, September 30 – Oceano to Buellton
7. Friday, October 1 – Buellton to Ventura
8. Saturday, October 2 – Ventura to Los Angeles (Santa Monica)

To learn more, please call (800) 954-CURE (2873) or visit www.californiacoastclassic.org.

Amgen®, the title sponsor of the California Coast Classic, is a leading human therapeutics company in the biotechnology industry, and a leader in inflammation research. Amgen has brought important therapies like Enbrel® and Kineret® to rheumatoid arthritis patients.

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in Atlanta, the Arthritis Foundation has multiple service points located throughout the country.

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $400 million in research grants since 1948. The foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. Information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-283-7800 or www.arthritis.org.

SOURCE The Arthritis Foundation