Stations help keep disease on the run Gas stations join in a campaign to combat arthritis. Langley Advance Published: Tuesday, March 25, 2008

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