The Annual Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run is coming November 17. At the event, two local faces of arthritis will be running and walking to fight the pain of this disease.
Six-year-old Junior Honoree Katelyn was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis in May of 2007, when she was 20 months old. Her diagnosis came after four months of wondering what could be wrong when she became unable to walk and was hospitalized for a week. After her initial flare-up was under control, she went 18 months without any problems. But in May of 2009, Katelyn was diagnosed with uveitis, or arthritis of the eyes. Although she responded well to the treatment, her eyes would not remain free of inflammatory cells for more than a few weeks. Katelyn has been on an injectable medication for arthritis since 2010, and her arthritis is under control.
“This disease has ups and downs,” says Katelyn’s mom, Kelli. “You learn to appreciate the good days and to push through the bad ones. My daughter has learned that at a young age.” Katelyn’s parents know the medications aren’t cure but a course of control, and they’re thankful Katelyn has responded quickly to her treatment.
The adult honoree for the Chattanooga event, Laura Beavers, has turned her pain into a vehicle to get and stay active. After years of pain, of struggling to walk or pick up her child, and of frustrating tears, Beavers was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. She was 23 at the time. Getting her diagnosis allowed her to find something to help her get on the floor and play with her 4-year-old.
Beavers was placed on a weekly shot to help control the inflammation in her body, and within three days, she began to feel better. She gradually began to be active again. Beavers has realized over the years that the more she moves, the better she feels. This led her to start training for 5K events, and even a half marathon she completed in February of this year.
“Training and running has helped me to realize any of us can do more than we think we’re physically or mentally able to do,” says Laura.
Arthritis affects 50 million adults and approximately 300,000 children across the nation. In Tennessee, there are 1.2 million adults and nearly 6,000 children with a doctor-diagnosed form of the disease.
“The prevalence of arthritis in our nation is surging, and we cannot ignore it,” says M. Wade Kelley, regional director of development and services for the Arthritis Foundation’s Chattanooga office. “Events like the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis bring the community together to raise awareness and funds critical to the advancement of research, health education and government advocacy.”
Volunteer organizers anticipate more than 450 runners and walkers will participate at the Chattanooga event, and aim to raise $50,000. The Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis will feature a five kilometer timed run, a one-mile fun run and walk, and a Santa Chase for kids from two to five years old.
The Chattanooga event will take place at the Tennessee River Park Shelter No. 3, located at 4301 Amnicola Highway. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Benchmark Physical Therapy and Brewer Media are the presenting sponsors. Find out more about the Jingle Bell Run or register for the event by visiting www.chattanoogajbr.org.
Source: Arthritis Foundation