Category Archives: Events

Thursday, July 22 |Arthritis Foundation

The California Coast Classic Is a Family Affair for These Riders

Six Kennedys put their mettle to the pedal at this year’s 21stannual bike tour in support of family and millions who have arthritis.

What has more than 500 wheels and legs, covers 525 miles in eight days and raises more than $1 million for arthritis? It’s the award-winning Arthritis Foundation’sCalifornia Coast Classic Bike Tour, presented by Amgen! This year’s 21stannual ride — along California’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1) from San Francisco to Los Angeles — includes six members of one family. “Team Chrissie” members are four brothers and two sons — Philip, David, John, Charles, and David’s sons, Kiel and Brandon Kennedy. They are riding to honor John’s wife, Christine “Chrissie” Parker-Kennedy, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 30 years, and Charles’ wife, Malia, who has had two knees replaced due to osteoarthritis. They also ride to raise awareness and funds to support vital resources and research for their extended family and the more than 54 million other Americans living with the daily challenges of arthritis.

我们最近采访了克里西团队的骑行准备，看看是什么让他们的车轮不停转动。

Q: What are your top three reasons for riding the California Coast Classic (CCC)?

David, an 8-year CCC veteran:十三年前，我有兴趣在别人的帮助下沿着海岸骑行。我找到了CCC，我没有回头。1)这是一场壮观的旅程，有难以置信的支持。2)原因。支持关节炎基金会是值得的。 其中一个真正打动我的项目是关节炎儿童夏令营项目，不管他们的能力水平如何。 3)人们——人们因为各种各样的原因参加这个项目。许多人患有某种类型的关节炎。 承诺和友情的程度是暖心的。 每次骑行，我都结交新朋友，重温旧友谊。

Philip, team captain:我同意。支持我的事业和我哥哥的妻子，克里斯·帕克-肯尼迪，让这一切变得更有意义。

“Having lived with RA for 30 years now, I am well aware of the need for research into this disease. Much progress has been made and the Arthritis Foundation has been unwaveringly supportive and encouraging. The fact that my brothers-in-law, my nephews and my husband are taking on this incredible commitment to ride in my name is about as heartwarming as it can get. Thank you. “

— Christine Parker-Kennedy

Q: What made you all want to ride together?

Brandon:The extended Kennedy family is a close-knit bunch. I’m only surprised more didn’t join in!

Philip:We are a very close family and wouldn’t consider doing it any other way.

Charles:这似乎是一个和我的兄弟和侄子们共度美好时光的好方法。另外，约翰和大卫有时很固执!约翰已经骑过三次CCC了。]

Q: How much training have you done to prepare for the ride?

Brandon:每周骑三到五次，强度不同。

Kiel:I’ve been running daily for about a year, but no bike riding. Recently, my girlfriend and I joined “the cult” of Peloton, though, so I’ll be putting some hard miles in on that thing!

Q: What have you found to be most successful when it comes to fundraising for the CCC?

Kiel:只要把它放到Facebook上，我一开始就收到了不少捐款。人们想要帮忙。它很好。

Q: What about the ride are you looking forward to most?

John:The start of the daily ride!

Brandon:I’m looking forward to the entire event! Really, what I’m looking forward to most is the simplicity of the experience. Wake up, ride, sleep. Rinse, repeat. Having the opportunity to do just that over hundreds of miles with people I love supporting a cause I care about is going to be a real highlight.

Kiel:Hanging with my fam.

David:Well, this year is incredibly special. Riding with two of my sons, together with three of my brothers, is insane. Doesn’t get any better.

Charles:The camaraderie with my brothers and nephews.

问:如果你过去曾乘坐过CCC，你从这次经历中获得了什么?

David:Riding the CCC affirms to me the goodness of people. When we are raising money for the Foundation, people truly like the idea of supporting the Foundation. And I see examples of the goodness every day on the ride, too.

Q: What makes the CCC so special?

John:Highway 1!

David:的路线。的路线。和路线。It’s incomparable.

问:在CCC或你的训练中发生的最有趣或最疯狂的事情是什么?

David:Brother John and I were riding together in Butte County. John rides a tricycle, with two wheels in front and a large drive wheel in the back. We were coming down a country road, when John made a left turn and unintentionally rode up on an opossum literally walking across the road. The opossum was as startled as John, and it took off running as fast as it could — between the front wheels. It kept this up for the time it took John to bring his trike to a stop, at which time the opossum was able to make its escape. Have you ever seen an opossum gallop?

Brandon:Craziest thing for me has just been the general realization that I’m physically capable of using my own human power to travel for hundreds of miles.

Q: What advice would you offer to anyone considering doing the in-person or remote ride?

Philip:Just commit, start fundraising and allow others to hold you accountable not only to your monetary goal but also your training goal.

Charles:Just stick to it! Riding with a buddy or finding a local club would no doubt help with the motivation factor.

John:想做就做!

Get the California Coast Classic Experience
无论你是一个初学者，骑电子自行车，或一个经验丰富的管理员喜欢比赛，你也可以得到加州海岸经典经验。今年将于9月18日至25日举行。您现在有选择-乘坐完全支持的旅行在加州或RR X CCC，一个远程乘坐您选择在您的休闲完成。在你当地的公路上，在健身教练上，在你的度假地点或下山——所有这些都是你自己的节奏。骑行525英里或任何距离，并通过健身应用程序记录每次骑行，同时与充满活力的骑行社区联系，获得支持、提示、激励、奖励和许多乐趣。Register now or learn more about theCalifornia Coast Classic(CCC) and watch theofficial CCC video. Got questions? Check out theFAQ page. If volunteering is more your speed, visit theCCC volunteers page.

Walk To Cure Arthritis Blog Header
Monday, April 5 |Arthritis Foundation

Today is the Day – Join the Walk to Cure Arthritis!

Over the past year, the pandemic has created countless challenges for everyone. The arthritis community, in particular, has experienced enormous obstacles — from the physical to the emotional, be it limitations to accessible treatments or the increased anxiety and depression spurred by stress, the toll has been unprecedented for the 54 million Americans including 300,000 children living with arthritis. But unique times also create unique opportunities. Now, more than ever, the impact of your support and participation in the Arthritis Foundation’s hallmark annual event —the Walk to Cure Arthritis— can have life-changing results.Continue readingToday is the Day – Join the Walk to Cure Arthritis!→

Thursday, January 21 |Arthritis Foundation

2020 Evening of Honors Highlights:

Recognizing Special Arthritis Foundation Volunteers in 2021

The Arthritis Foundation’s Conference of Champions — an annual gathering of volunteers, partners and other supporters — was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. But we thought it was very important to recognize some phenomenal achievements in the past year, despite the challenges everyone faced. So, belatedly, we held our 2020 Evening of Honors ceremony on Jan. 15, 2021 —live, virtually, online.Continue reading2020 Evening of Honors Highlights:→

Monday, October 5 |Arthritis Foundation

World Arthritis Day 2020

It’s time to remind the world that arthritis is a real disease that reduces quality of life.

2020年10月12日是世界关节炎日。这一纪念活动呼吁全球关注一种复杂、多层面的疾病，证据显示，这种疾病是全世界残疾的主要原因，对身体和情感都有影响。但对世界上大部分人来说，它仍然是一种看不见的疾病。Continue readingWorld Arthritis Day 2020→

Thursday, July 9 |Arthritis Foundation

National Sponsors Help to Make This Year’s Virtual Walk to Cure Arthritis a Big Success

This year, the Arthritis Foundation decided to move our flagship fundraising event, Walk to Cure Arthritis (WTCA), to the online space. The fight for arthritis research and a cure never quits, even when the world seems to be at a standstill. That’s why we were so excited to share this virtual experience with our arthritis family! Over 35,000 people watched the event live on Facebook, helping us raise millions in donations for the fight to cure arthritis.Continue readingNational Sponsors Help to Make This Year’s Virtual Walk to Cure Arthritis a Big Success→

Friday, April 24 |Arthritis Foundation

Virtual Walk Event Will Be a Lifeline for People With Arthritis

Volunteer Helen King shares her perspective and wisdomon Connecting & Staying Active Virtually in the Live Yes! With Arthritis Podcast

Helen Kinghas a good read on the pulse of the arthritis community these days. She has been a major volunteer for our cause since being diagnosed with an aggressive case of rheumatoid arthritis six years ago. The pain and accompanying symptoms she experienced, like intense fatigue, were often unbearable. Today, she still battles occasional flares, as well as mental and emotional challenges, but her treatment regimen helps manage her condition.

During theCOVID-19 crisis,Helen是当地一家Live Yes!费城地区(宾夕法尼亚州东部和新泽西州南部)的Connect Group——她自己经历了大流行的影响，也从其他关节炎患者那里听到了危机对他们的影响。

“Perhaps a silver-lining in this situation is there’s greater awareness about those who are immune-compromised and at greater risk of the coronavirus,” says Helen. “It’s also wonderful that we have technology today to connect virtually, which didn’t exist 20 years ago.” Her local group of about 100 members has been connecting online to offer each other support during these trying times.

Helen King (center) doing Walk to Cure Arthritis with her son Nick Geckle and co-worker Sarah Hargett

Helen is a dedicated volunteer, not only facilitating her local support group, but also chairing the local Arthritis Foundation leadership board and representing patients as a Platinum Ambassador in advocacy efforts. Last year, she was national honoree for the walk event, and she keeps plowing ahead. Since 2017, she and her Walk to Cure Arthritis team have raised over $200,000 through donations and sponsorships.

“作为捐赠者和志愿者，我们的承诺有助于关节炎基金会的工作继续下去，”海伦说。“We need to fuel the connections the Foundation makes possible, like localLive Yes! Connect Groups and the 24/7 Online Community.Right now, we need dependable information about exercising, eating right and other tips.Advocacy actionsare vital to addressing possible drug shortages and other barriers. And licensed social workers at the Foundation’sHelplinehelp with insurance concerns, local resource referrals and connecting with others who know what living with arthritis is like.”

This year’sVirtual Walk to Cure Arthritiswill be different, but Helen emphasizes that the event is more important than ever. “All of us are working hard with the Arthritis Foundation to make this a successful connective event. On May 16, we’re going to rally together and raise awareness and funds for vital research, resources and connections.”

美国东部时间5月16日下午4点，Facebook直播活动将邀请营养师和风湿病学家等专家参加，此外，还有许多关节炎勇士和Yes的冠军，他们有故事和建议可以分享给我们，激励我们所有人。

“We will learn and grow, be creative and innovative, raise more awareness and funds,” says Helen. “We hope everyone will Share Their 54, on behalf of the 54 million Americans diagnosed with arthritis. Tell 54 others about this fundraiser. Do 54 stretches, walk 54 steps or whatever activity you can do to stay healthy. Give or raise $54 to support our mission. What if the 54 million Americans diagnosed with arthritis gave just $1? That would throw a lifeline to those living with arthritis and other chronic diseases.”

Helen also hopes everyone will consider putting some of the money they’re not spending right now toward this fundraiser. “The hair coloring or manicures/pedicures you can’t have right now, other things you have to skip, saving money on gas and tolls. Every dollar counts to keep these crucial services going.”

Helen likens the COVID-19 battle everyone has experienced these past several weeks with the challenges people who have arthritis encounter daily. Feeling isolated. The sleeplessness, extra stress, anxiety and depression many of us encounter. Being concerned about going out and getting exposed, as a high-risk individual, while picking up groceries and medications … and taking care of other pressing needs.

“This is how arthritis patients already live,” she says. “There’s just an extra layer to it all now, bringing increased stress, which can cause more arthritis flares. The connections we can make are invaluable, thanks to the Arthritis Foundation. We will eventually get past this current crisis. But arthritis will still be here. We still need to conquer it. And now is the time to really step up to this challenge.”

Listen now to the Live Yes! With Arthritis Podcast to hear more from Helen King on Connecting and Staying Active Virtually.

If you haven’t already,加入Live Yes!关节炎网络免费。Arthritis Awareness Month in May is a great time tospeak out,donateto our cause andshare what you’ve experienced.Help change the future of arthritis.

JA Conference Registration
Thursday, January 30 |Arthritis Foundation

JA会议报名及旅游奖励现已开放!

Register early and save!Year after year, theArthritis Foundation’s National Juvenile Arthritis Conferencehas brought kids with rheumatic diseases and their families together for a weekend full of education, inspiration and connection with others on a similar journey. Join us this summer as two conferences become one epic event. Whether you are new to the JA Conference or returning, we invite you to join us in Orlando at JA Conference 2020.

For many families, it may not be feasible to plan for a weekend conference that might include extensive travel. To help with these travel costs, the Arthritis Foundation is pleased to offer limited financial assistance to families wishing to attend the JA Conference who meet certain criteria. The 2020 JA Conference Travel Awards applications are open to children/teens and their families (up to 4 people), and young adults (ages 18 – 30).

Click hereto learn more about the JA Conference Travel Award Program.

2020 JA Conference Travel Awards applications2月28日结束。

FAQs:

  1. 完成旅行奖励申请需要多长时间?

The form is relatively quick and painless, but we’d recommend setting aside about 20 minutes to complete it. All information is relevant to the application and review process, and we want to make sure we are getting complete information.

  1. 旅游奖是否只基于筹款活动?

No! While we do ask about any fundraising you and your family may have done throughout the year, this is not the sole criteria for receiving a Travel Award. Applicants are scored by an independent committee on various levels of engagement with the Arthritis Foundation – whether you’re an Advocate, Platinum Ambassador, committee volunteer or participate in local events.

Testimonials from some of our recent attendees and Travel Award recipients:

“We were so thrilled to be able to take part in this year’s Seattle conference. Had it not been for our scholarship, we would never have been able to afford the trip. We made new friends, understand Lana’s disease—and potential treatments/coping strategies—better, and were blessed to have had Lana participate in a group project/experience that we believe she will remember for the rest of her life. Our son has more compassion and understanding for his sister now, too. Thank you for making such a positive impact on our lives.”

“我代表我们的家人，发自内心地感谢您为我们提供了一个旅行奖来参加今年在华盛顿举行的青少年关节炎会议。我的女儿五年前被诊断为寡关节性JIA。我们都听说过JA会议是多么的精彩，但一直没能制定出参加的日程，直到今年。我们知道这对我们的家庭来说将是一次美妙的经历，但我们不知道这将如何改变我们的生活。作为贾氏综合症孩子的父母可能会非常孤立，尤其是当你只认识少数几个像你这样的家庭时。我无法用语言来表达与数百名理解我们的故事并经历过我们所经历的人在一起的感受。我们第一次真正感觉到我们并不孤单。”

“当你与关节炎基金会联系时，一盏小小的灯就会点亮你的黑暗。机会呈现在你面前，让你学习、连接和管理这条新路。你的光芒会随着每一个新的机会而变得更加明亮。有一天，你听说了全国会议，你现在11岁的孩子对参加这个会议的想法感到无比兴奋。你也想兴奋起来，但你知道你现在没钱去。你决定抓住这个机会去申请旅行奖，你在送出去的时候祈祷，希望你的女儿能以某种方式获得旅行奖。然后有一天，你收到一封电子邮件，得知你的家人被选中参加了婚礼，当你看到女儿眼中的光芒时，喜悦的泪水在家里流淌。这次会议简直太棒了。”

“We received travel awards the first few years and was the primary reason for us going to our first conference back in 2011. It was just me and the boys. From the moment of registration and the opening evening, I knew the JA Conference was going to be life-changing. We went home and told [my husband] we were going the next year so he could experience what we had. It proved so beneficial for him the next year because he was still somewhat in denial of [our son’s] JA. The information we’ve received has been so helpful, but the connections we’ve all made have been life-changing. We have a HUGE JA family now. I’m so thankful for that first scholarship and what it’s done for our family.”

2020年JA大会将于2020年7月23日至26日在佛罗里达州奥兰多的海洋世界文艺复兴奥兰多举行。Early-bird Conference Registration如果您不申请旅游奖，则已经开放。

For the latest news and updates, be sure to check the JA Conferencewebsiteand follow along on ourFacebookpage!

如果您对JA会议旅行奖有其他问题，请联系Katie Bitner kbitner@arthritis.org或470-588-0710。

Live Yes RA
Friday, January 4 |Arthritis Foundation

2019 Live Yes! RA

2019 Live Yes! RA is a personalized goal-setting event brought to you by the Arthritis Foundation. This free forum gives you the opportunity to learn ways that can help you say Yes more than No, despite the challenges of living withrheumatoid arthritis(RA). You’ll get expert advice from a local rheumatologist plus guidance on setting goals that can help you live life to the fullest. Let us help you manage your RA, as well as communicate effectively with your own doctor.

Event registrations open weekly, so please check back often!