Photo via the Arthritis Foundation's Facebook page
On December 3, hundredsbrof holiday-costumed runners will converge in Cowtown for the annual Jingle BellbrRun. The goal is to raise $130,000 in funds to cure arthritis, America's No. 1brcause of disability.
Taking place in more thanbr100 cities nationwide, the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run helps the onebrin five Americans, including 300,000 children, living with arthritis pain everybrday. From funding cutting-edge research for new treatments and ultimately abrcure to advocating for health care access, the Arthritis Foundation helps thebr50 million Americans living with arthritis score everyday victories, one stepbrat a time.
“Every dollar raisedbrduring our Jingle Bell Run events makes it possible for us to providebrlife-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advances inbrscience and strengthen community connections,” said Ann Palmer, ArthritisbrFoundation president and CEO, in a press release. “The Arthritis Foundation isbrhere to serve everyone affected by this disease – individuals, their familiesbrand the healthcare professionals who help them. Your generous support helps usbrchart a winning course, so that more people can say Yes to a better life.”
The Fort Worth JinglebrBell Run will feature local honorees who embody the Arthritis Foundation'sbrChampion of Yes spirit.
Honorees include:
Ryker Patten wasbrdiagnosed with juvenile arthritis when he two-and-a-half years old. It isbrnow a year and a half later and Ryker still takes his anti-inflammatory twice abrday, along with two shots a week of different medications to hinder his immunebrsystem. He is a Champion of YES every day as he fights to keep this diseasebrfrom limiting his childhood.
Rheumatologist RosybrRajbhandary, M.D. is a member of Huguley Medical Associates and practices atbrTexas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South. Dr. Rajbhandary mentions thatbrher interest in rheumatology is both professional and personal. She grew upbrseeing her mother suffer from severe, crippling and disabling rheumatoidbrarthritis, so her exposure to rheumatology began in early childhood. She nowbrdedicates her life helping people in such pain.
Angela Garza is abr42-year-old real estate agent who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis inbr2013. Angela is passionate about finding a cure for arthritis and hopes to shedbrsome light on how her disease does not discriminate by age.
Paul Kohlmeier was namedbras chair of the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run in June 2016. Paulbrhas over 30 years in aerospace, engineering, production and supply chainbrmanagement. He is currently the Lockheed Martin Director for F-35 InternationalbrSupply Chain and Supplier Readiness. Paul is honored to be allowed thebropportunity to help build the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run. ThebrArthritis Foundation's impact on the many veterans and young lives is anbrinspiration for Paul to be a Champion of Yes.
Through fundraisers likebrthe Jingle Bell Run, the Arthritis Foundation is able to invest in local andbrnational programs that benefit those in the community affected by arthritis.brThe Jingle Bell Run is nationally sponsored by Advil, AbbVie, Massage Envy andbrFerring Pharmaceuticals.
Learn more and register at JBR.org/FortWorth.