Calgarian Donald Karp is happy to race snowboard cross at a professional level primarily because a few years back he was nearly bed-ridden due to an arthritic-autoimmune disease commonly know as bamboo spine.

The experience has inspired Karp to speak at the Power of Movement  fundraiser at 11 a.m. on Sunday.  The event will take place at Eau Claire Market and will involve a yoga class where participants can donate a minimum of $5 to help raise money for arthritis and autoimmune diseases.

Kim McNeil, a local yoga instructor, will be teaching the class and expects a larger turnout this year than last year’s crowd of 70.  Having raised nearly $1,700 for the cause to date, she said she is motivated by more than just her love of yoga.

 With a brother and close friend suffering from arthritis since their 20s, McNeil said fundraising and dispelling the myth that it only affects seniors is important.