Rankin Inlet (Sep 06/06) - Close to 30 people turned out for the annual 5K Fun Walk/Run event in support of the Canadian Arthritis Society in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Carla and Jake Punshon are members of the Arthritis Society's Joints in Motion Training Team.

The husband and wife ran in a giant marathon on behalf of the Arthritis Society in Switzerland this past year, and will be travelling to New York City to participate in its marathon on Nov. 5. About 35,000 people are expected to attend the New York event, with numerous charities being represented at the race.

Carla says a team of 50 from across Canada will represent the Canadian Arthritis Society at the New York event.

"When you look at the $5,000 we each have to raise, that gives you an idea of how strongly the Arthritis Society is represented at the event," says Carla.

"Only $1,000 goes towards the trip, while the other $4,000 goes to the Arthritis Society."

Carla says raising awareness about arthritis was the focus of the Rankin event.

Although some runners did sign pledges, participation in the event was free.

The money raised goes towards research for the Arthritis Society.

Carla says she and Jake always worry about how the community perceives the money they raise for the society.

She says some people may worry that they're paying for the couple's vacation when they make a donation, and nothing could be further from the truth.

"Jake and I always make a donation to the Arthritis Society to cover the cost of our trip.

"Anything else we raise goes towards the charity itself. So, when people in the community donate their $5 or $20, that money goes straight to research, not towards our plane tickets."

More than four million Canadians suffer from some form of arthritis.

Carla says it's important for people to know arthritis strikes people of all ages.

"Without events like the 5K Fun Walk/Run, people just go about their daily business and don't give much thought to things like this.

"There's a lot of arthritis right here in Rankin and it's not a pleasant affliction to deal with."