May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and Amgen, a long-time supporter of the Arthritis Foundation, is helping promote awareness, education and prevention of arthritis, a disease that affects 46 million Americans.

ENBREL® (etanercept) is the national presenting sponsor of the 2008 Arthritis Walk®, the Arthritis Foundation’s annual fundraising event. There are more than 165 walks taking place across the United States during the month of May alone.  Funds raised will support critical research and discoveries, public health initiatives and public policy efforts to improve the lives of people with arthritis.

“Arthritis can pose challenges to physical activity, but it does not have to mean the end of an active and healthy lifestyle,” said Scott Baumgartner, M.D., director, Global Development, Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Amgen.  “We hope that together with the Arthritis Foundation we can empower and motivate people with rheumatoid arthritis to consult with their rheumatologist and start or restart an appropriate fitness program.”

Today, one in five people suffer from the pain of arthritis, one of the leading causes of disability among Americans over age 15. Walking or moving just 30 minutes a day can ease joint pain and reduce fatigue associated with many forms of arthritis.

In addition to the national sponsorship, Amgen staff members are participating in local walks in support of the arthritis communities where Amgen operates. To date, more than 200 staff members have participated in their local walks and raised more than $27,000.

To sign up for an Arthritis Walk event in your community or to learn more about the Arthritis Foundation, please visit www.arthritis.org