Two Langley gas stations are helping to ease the pain of one of the most common illnesses.

Balraj Bhatthal and Kuldeep Grewal both operate On the Run Esso stations in Langley and were part of the campaign to aid the Arthritis Society.

Esso retailers from across British Columbia helped to raise awareness of juvenile arthritis while raising $16,982.78.

Laurie Shopland of the Arthritis Society congratulated On the Run owner Balraj Bhatthal, employee Balijeet Bal, and Celebs for Kids founder Karim Chandani for earning $6,000 for the campaign.

Laurie Shopland of the Arthritis Society congratulated On the Run owner Balraj Bhatthal, employee Balijeet Bal, and Celebs for Kids founder Karim Chandani for earning $6,000 for the campaign.

****The money will be used to support the society's initiative to provide for the first pediatric rheumatology research chair in Canada.

"Esso retailers have a special place in our hearts for kids. When I found out that juvenile arthritis affects 1 in 250 children in Canada, I was shocked," said Jean Dubuc, Esso's senior territory manager in B.C. "I wasn't aware that kids even got arthritis and that we don't know the cause and there is no cure. We wanted to do what we can to help change that."

In British Columbia alone, more than 600,000 people are currently battling arthritis, making it B.C.'s most common chronic condition.

One hundred per cent of the funds raised will be supporting the Arthritis Society's Ross Petty Research Chair in Paediatric Rheumatology at the University of British Columbia.

"When Jean asked us to come on board to help raise funds for these kids who live with the pain and disability of arthritis, we didn't hesitate to offer our support," said Esso retailer Balraj Bhatthal who raised $6,000 at his Langley On the Run location.

The money was raised from customers.

This partnership with Esso was made possible by Karim Chandani, founder of Celebs for Kids, a fundraising initiative he started after his eight-year old daughter was diagnosed with a form of arthritis called lupus.

"I am absolutely certain that we will realize our dream of a cure for juvenile arthritis and lupus in my daughter's lifetime," noted Chandani. "The Arthritis Society's Ross Petty Research Chair in Paediatric Rheumatology is the key to the cure."

Kuldeep Grewal, another Esso On the Run retailer in Langley, raised $1,101 at his location during December.

Nearly 4.5 million Canadians have arthritis. Over the last 60 years, the society has invested $160 million toward arthritis research to develop better treatments and find a cure.

© Langley Advance 2008

Vancouver, March 18, 2008 - Esso retailers from across British Columbia have helped to raise awareness of juvenile arthritis while raising $16,982.78 to support The Arthritis Societys initiative to fund the first paediatric rheumatology research chair in Canada.

Esso retailers have a special place in our hearts for kids. When I found out that juvenile arthritis affects 1 in 250 children in Canada, I was shocked says Jean Dubuc Esso Senior Territory Manager in BC. I wasnt aware that kids even got arthritis and that we dont know the cause and there is no cure. We wanted to do what we can to help change that.

100% of the funds raised will support The Arthritis Societys Ross Petty Research Chair in Pediatric Rheumatology at the University of British Columbia.

When Jean asked all Esso retailers to come on board to help raise funds for these kids who live with the pain and disability of arthritis, we didnt hesitate to offer our support, said Esso retailer Karim Chandani who raised $1,500.00 at his Lonsdale and Westview locations. Our customers have been incredibly generous.

This partnership with Esso was made possible by Chandani, Esso retailer and founder of Celebs for Kids, a fundraising initiative he started after his 8-year old daughter was diagnosed with a form of arthritis called lupus. I am absolutely certain that we will realize our dream of a cure for juvenile arthritis and lupus in my daughters lifetime, notes Chandani. The Arthritis Societys Ross Petty Research Chair in Pediatric Rheumatology is the key to the cure.

Cutline for photo: Esso Jean Dubuc, along with 8-year old Jalisa and her parents Shala and Karim Chandani, present a cheque to The Arthritis Society volunteer board member, Margaret Vanderkruyk in support of juvenile arthritis.

About The Arthritis Society
The Arthritis Society is Canada principle health charity which empowers the nearly 4.5 million Canadians with arthritis to live their lives to the fullest by combating the daily limitations of arthritis. Over the last 60 years, The Society has invested $160 million towards arthritis research to develop better treatments and ultimately find a cure. In British Columbia alone, more than 600,000 people are currently battling arthritis, making it BCs most common chronic condition.

For more information:
Pamela Gole
Director, External Relations
The Arthritis Society, BC & Yukon Division
604.714.5554; pgole@bc.arthritis.ca

Grant Fuhr is returning to Vancouver but not permanently he is arriving to host a charitable event. CELEBS FOR KIDS is excited to have Grant Fuhr hosting their inaugural golf and poker tournament, August 14-15, 2008. This event will feature some of the top athletes and entertainers Vancouver has ever seen. Monies raised will go to the Ross Petty Research Chair in Pediatric Rheumatology to help kids with Lupus and Arthritis.

Its so valuable to have someone of Grants quality to host our event! His presence adds even more and will bring some great hockey players back to hockey crazed Vancouver, says Karim Chandani of Celebs for Kids.

Grant Fuhr was inducted in to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003, a former goaltender in the National Hockey League. He played for the Oilers for ten seasons, winning five Stanley Cups. Fuhr played in the National Hockey League All-Star Game and he played in goal for the NHL All-Stars in both games of the Rendezvous '87 series against the Soviet National Team. In 2004, he was hired by Wayne Gretzky to be the Phoenix Coyotes goaltending coach and currently maintains this position.

Im very excited about this event, to help raise money for children, I believe it is a great cause, says Fuhr. To give back to the community is an opportunity that I have wanted to do for a long time, and this gives me the chance to do that and it feels great. We are going to bring in some great guys from Canada to help out as well.

Grants invitation list is extensive from athletes to entertainers, Wayne Gretzky, Shane Doan, Mario Lemieux, Kevin Costner, Mike Eruzione, Jim McMahon, Emmitt Smith, Ray Bourque, Willie Gault, Adrian Young, Lil Jordan, Dan Jansen, Ryan Smyth, Jarome Iginla, Darryl Sydor, and many more.

Lupus in children: that cant happen, can it? Lupus is a severe autoimmune disease affecting any and often several body systems; it is chronic and requires lifelong medication and treatment. For some people with lupus, it can be life-threatening. Most people are not aware that children and teenagers can get lupus. Children as young as 3 years of age can develop lupus; overall about 15% of all people with lupus had their disease start in childhood. When lupus begins in children, it is more severe than in adults. In short, lupus is a devastating disease for children and teens with a major impact on their lives. Kids get arthritis, too: Juvenile arthritis:
Arthritis can affect children and teenagers; in fact, juvenile arthritis is the 6th most common childhood disease, following asthma, congenital heart disease, cerebral palsy diabetes and epilepsy. Childhood arthritis is the #1 cause of acquired disability in children. Despite this, most people are surprised to hear that arthritis can affect children. About 1 of every 1,000 children will develop juvenile arthritis. Childhood arthritis is chronic, and requires long term use of medications, physiotherapy, occupational therapy; it affects how children participate in school, play and at home and it can alter how they develop physically and mentally through adolescence. Most children with arthritis will continue to have problems with their disease into adulthood.

Celebs for Kids will include a Pairings Party and Poker Tournament, August 14th at the Sutton Place Hotel with 5 World Poker Champions, a celebrity at each table and great prizes, along with a golf pairings like no other. The following day, August 15 is the golf tournament at Furry Creek Golf & Country Club; this event will have two $1 million dollar Hole-in-ones, 4 luxury cars to win and much more.

For more information regarding the Celebs for Kids Tournament and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Gigi Rock Productions at 480-246-9616 in the United States Karim Chandani at 604-340-3035 chandani@telus.net in Canada or visit the website at www.celebsforkids.ca For all media inquiries, celebrity participation and interview requests, please contact Gigi Rock at 480-246-9616 in the United States or Farrah Jinnah farrah@bell.blackberry.net or 778-836-7681

HERE 'N' THERE: Organizers of a two-day golf and poker tournament to help kids with lupus and arthritis are onto something. They initially invited hall of fame goaltender Grant Fuhr to Vancouver for a celebrity poker showdown on Aug. 14 at the Sutton Place Hotel and golf at Furry Creek on Aug. 15. Fuhr has since asked some of his friends to join him, including Wayne Gretzky, Shane Doan, Mario Lemieux, Jarome Iginla, Kevin Costner, Jim McMahon, Emmitt Smith and others. Fuhr says he'll let the Celebs For Kids committee know who's coming and who's not in good time.

Greg Douglas can be heard mornings at 7:45 on News1130 Monday through Friday. He can be reached at drsport@telus.net