One of the keys to fighting arthritis is to keep moving. So, that is just what the Arthritis Foundation's office in Lancaster has done.

They've moved.

The new office is located at 204 Butler Ave., Suite 102, just off Oregon Pike.

To mark the occasion, a community open house and registration for the upcoming Arthritis Walk will be held at the new location from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6.

The foundation had been located at Janet Avenue for many years, with just two rooms, and it shared meeting areas with other non-profit organizations in the building.

"Now we have a lot more room for our offices," said Judy W Smith, co-interim executive director of the Arthritis Foundation.

The new office has five rooms with the potential for adding a conference room, she said.

The Lancaster office — formerly the Lancaster-Lebanon Counties Branch under the Central PA Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation — is now known as the South Eastern Branch.

The chapter office covers a total of 28 counties in central Pennsylvania, with the local branch directly responsible for three of them: Lancaster, Lebanon and York.

"The move is due to the fact that we have grown so much, thanks to our dedicated volunteers," said Smith. "We must continue to grow to help the more than 46 million people affected by arthritis."

Arthritis, she noted, is the No. 1 cause of disability in the United States.

The Arthritis Foundation offers free one-hour sessions about its programs and services at noon on the last Thursday of every month. The programs are designed to help people with arthritis and their loved ones. Sessions are also available at work sites and group meeting locations.

The Arthritis Foundation is a national volunteer health organization dedicated to arthritis research and providing programs and services to help people affected by arthritis.

At the South Eastern Branch office, Smith is responsible for Lancaster County and Tammy Kerr for Lebanon and York counties. They are the only paid employees.

The local office was started in the late 1950s and early 1960s by volunteers who wanted to establish a local presence for the Arthritis Foundation.

The open house not only will welcome visitors to the new office, but also will serve as a kick-off for the May 3 Lancaster Arthritis Walk at Overlook Community Campus, 2040 Lititz Pike. Registration will be held for the 5K or 1-mile walk.

"What makes the Arthritis Walk unique is that people are encouraged to walk with their dogs, since dogs also get arthritis," said Smith, adding that exercise is an important part of arthritis management .

There is no registration fee, but everyone raising $100 gets an official walk T-shirt. The Arthritis Foundation encourages people, businesses and other groups to form teams, setting a minimum financial goal and raising those dollars to help fight arthritis.

"The open house and kick-off will be a chance for people to get questions answered, register early and to immediately begin making plans to participate in the May 3 Arthritis Walk," said Smith.

All walks are planned by a volunteer committee. Information on the Lebanon and York walks also will be available.

In addition, the Arthritis Foundation will hold its annual "Applause!" children's fashion show on Sunday, April 6, at the Travelodge, 1492 Lititz Pike.

The foundation is seeking models, helpers and donations for the fashion show, which will benefit children and adults with arthritis.

Anyone interested in serving as a volunteer for the Arthritis Foundation should stop by the open house or call 397-6271.