Category Archives: Events

Empowered to Live Yes! Registration for the 2019 Advocacy Summit is Open!

Together we are empowered to Live Yes! Your story can move mountains. You have the power to influence your elected officials and break down barriers to the care everyone deserves. By sharing with and educating your lawmakers, you can break down barriers for people with arthritis. Join us in Washington, DC at the 2019 Advocacy Summit on March 11-12, 2019 to make these goals a reality.

The Summit is a forum for volunteers who are dedicated to making a long-term commitment to leadership in Arthritis Foundation advocacy. It is an opportunity to both build meaningful relationships with your elected officials and cultivate the skills to empower and engage other people in your community who are impacted by arthritis. This year’s event will be our opportunity to introduce a new Congress to the many faces of arthritis and the issues most important to the arthritis community.

The best part about this year’s Advocacy Summit is that participants will leave Washington feeling Empowered to Live Yes! This two-day event can serve as an on-ramp to advocacy excellence for all of our participants. You’ll go home with the confidence to share your story and make a difference throughout the year on important legislative issues like reforming step therapy.  Everyone, of all ages, backgrounds, and advocacy skill levels—including children and teenagers—are welcome at the 2019 Advocacy Summit.

 “We can help improve the lives of the children and adults that are living with arthritis by taking action and letting our elected officials know what matters to us,” says April McCaslin, Platinum Ambassador from New York. “Advocating for arthritis is important because it gives us the opportunity to take control over a disease that we otherwise have no control over.”

Advocacy Summit registration closes on Monday, February 4, 2019. For more information contact Julie Eller at jeller@arthritis.org. Register today to secure your spot!

For more information on this event and how to carry your new skills with you into a year of continued engagement with your new (or returning!) legislators, visit our website arthritis.org/AdvocacySummit!

walk to cure arthritis 2018

Spotlight on Kenley Huss: Walk to Cure Arthritis National Youth Honoree

Kenley Huss and her family are superstars in the fight against arthritis, holding nothing back in their personal quest to conquer it.

The Huss family first came face to face with the disease in 2010 when Kenley, then just over a year old, was diagnosed with oligoarticular juvenile arthritis (JA). It wreaked havoc on her knees and several other joints, as well as caused unexplained fevers and pain that no toddler should experience.

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kate wingate jbr youth honoree

Kate Wingate, Jingle Bell Run National Youth Honoree

From Kate Wingate

My name is Kate Wingate and I’m from Greensboro, North Carolina. On the outside, I look like a normal 13-year-old girl, but I have juvenile arthritis (JA).  Arthritis is a disease that doesn’t present in a way that you might think, and unless I’m having a flare, no one would ever know.  I’ve had JA since I was 18-months-old, so I can’t remember what it feels like to not have pain in my joints.

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arthritis foundation autoshow

Getting Rid of Arthur, the Uninvited Guest

When Kevin Gadd was born, roughly 51 years ago, an unexpected and unwelcomed guest joined his family.

“My mom was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in her hands just after I was born,” explained Kevin. “We called it Arthur, like Arthur-itis. We were always mad at Arthur because he brought pain to my mom and made it difficult for her to do the things she loved. Arthur was a bad dude.”

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volkenburg brothers arthritis foundation fundraising

Brothers Battle Gigantic Duck and 5 Foot Waves in Record Setting Swim Across Lake Erie

They said they were going to do it and, by golly, they did it – in record time!

Earlier this year, brothers Tom and Greg Van Volkenburg decided they were going to swim across Lake Erie, a distance of 24.3 miles, in honor of their mom, Debbie, who has battled rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for most of her life.

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arthritis foundation mini grand prix

Racing for a Cure: Drivers Burn Rubber for Mini Grand Prix Crown

Turning into the straightaway you quickly push the pedal to the floor. The engine roars to life as you accelerate down the track. Up ahead is your next challenge – a hairpin turn that requires carefully calculated breaking and precise steering, otherwise you might spin out and lose your position. Your tires are just inches away from the car next to you. With a little luck and skill, you might outmaneuver the other driver and come out ahead without wrecking.

Tom Boehland can’t get enough of this. He grew up a race fan and for years has known legendary IndyCar driver and team owner Bobby Rahal. Today he roots for Bobby’s son, Graham, who currently competes in the IndyCar Series.

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Louisiana Walk To Cure Arthritis

Volunteer Kick-Starts Successful Louisiana Walk To Cure Arthritis Event

Born on July 4, Geoff and Sara Morthland called red-haired Ellery their “firecracker,” but at 19 months old, only Ellery’s knees were inflamed. They soon discovered the reason: juvenile arthritis (JA).

“I felt so powerless, Sara Morthland, Ellery’s mother, said. “I couldn’t make it go away.”

The Baton Rouge, Louisiana resident turned emotion into action and searched for a fundraiser supporting an arthritis cure. When she discovered Walk to Cure Arthritis, Sara was elated—only to learn Louisiana did not have a Walk.
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Max Larsen Jingle Bell Run

Unique Fundraiser Pays Off for National Jingle Bell Run Youth Honoree Max Larsen

Jingle Bell Run Max Larsen
Max Larsen

When Max Larsen wants to raise funds to cure arthritis, he goes all out. As the 2016 National Jingle Bell Run Youth Honoree, Max and Team to the MAX held one of his largest and the nation’s most unique fundraisers on October 8. Max’s annual fundraiser, Big Ox Plop Bingo, raised funds to get him closer to his $50,000 fundraising goal and 75 people joined his team!
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Erika Mitchell Jingle Bell Run

Gifted Athlete Won’t Let Arthritis Stop Her – Becomes Hammer Throw Champ

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Erika Mitchell never thought she’d have to make lemonade. As a talented high school track star, she was recruited to Alabama State University to compete in the heptathlon – a track and field competition that involves numerous running, jumping and throwing events.
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