Striking a pose in Sandton
SANDTON - Sandton City patrons were treated to an interesting sight when the Strike a Pose campaign sent two of their human statues to pose with shoppers.
The campaign, with the support of The Arthritis Foundation of South Africa, has set out to raise awareness surrounding autoimmune disease. Consisting of more than 80 conditions, the diseases develop when the body’s immune system mistakes healthy cells for harmful ones and attacks them. Autoimmune diseases are considered medical mysteries as there are no specific causes or cures.
Representative for the Strike a Pose campaign, Jeanre de Oliviera said that the concept behind the statues is to help the public understand the diseases by highlighting the impaired motor skills sufferers experience.
CEO of the foundation, Mike Boddy said, “The campaign is aimed at creating much-needed awareness around the prevalence, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases, with a particular focus on rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, spondyloarthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases.”
Dr Marietjie du Plooy of the Wits Donald Gordon Hospital said the campaign represents a significant step in addressing an acute lack of awareness about autoimmune diseases amongst the general public.
