From Patient to Patient Leader: Every Voice Counts

We are spotlighting two people this month who are sharing their experiences as members of the Arthritis Foundation’s Patient Leadership Council (PLC). Learn how to apply to join the PLC at the end of this post. By Sarah Cloud | Sept. 1, 2021 An arthritis diagnosis can be one of surprise and acceptance or one of absolute fear. It all depends on what words precede the word “arthritis” and how your health care provider may explain and support your diagnosis. As someone who was diagnosed at the age of 19 with osteoarthritis and then as a mom who heard the phrase, “I think ...more

The 2021 Virtual National Juvenile Arthritis Conference Was a Wonderful Success

A big THANK YOU to all JA families, planning committee members and sponsors for making the 2021 Virtual National Juvenile Arthritis Conference a huge success! This year, we welcomed more than 850 total attendees — including 373 first-time participants — from 42 states and three different countries. The JA Conference offered 71 virtual sessions and gave attendees the opportunity to connect and network with other moms, dads, families, siblings, caregivers and, of course, young adults, teens and kids with JA who share similar challenges and triumphs. Even in these trying times, we showed the world that together we are stronger than ...more

Close to the Finish Line: Funding our JA Kids' Futures

By Stephanie Livingston, Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Manager They say first impressions last a lifetime. The same applies to a child’s first interactions with a pediatric rheumatologist. After finding a diagnosis, it’s vital to work quickly as a team to find a treatment plan that slows disease activity as much as possible during developing years. I was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis (JA) when I was 12 years old, but there were hints of arthritis activity far earlier that were misunderstood as sports injuries. Misdiagnosis is common with JA, since pain and swelling can be misattributed to growing pains, injuries and other kid-related activities. ...more

Arthritis Foundation Champion Scholarships for Deserving Students

At the Arthritis Foundation, we are proud to support the rising generation as it joins the movement to help conquer arthritis for good. Every year, we award $5,000 college scholarships to deserving students who have arthritis or a related rheumatic disease. Recently, 14 additional scholarships were funded for 2021-22 by the Ruth Lape Scholarship of the Lichliter Charitable Trust, meaning that even more applicants will now receive awards. The 2021-22 Arthritis Champions Scholarship program is funded by the Walter J. and Kathryn M. Winterhoff Endowed Scholarship Fund, Dr. Smriti Bardhan College Scholarship Fund, Alpha Omicron Pi and the Ruth Lape Scholarship ...more

This SJIA Family Thrives in a New Setting

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common type of arthritis in children and teens. Between 10% to 20% of children with JIA have a rare and serious subtype called systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). Symptoms of this rare disease can include overactivation of a type of immune cells called macrophages (MAS), unremitting fever, liver and spleen enlargement, abnormal bleeding, central nervous system dysfunction and other potential complications. Read about one family’s plight. Today, 9-year-old Cohen is having the time of his life. He is “president” of the barn on the ranch where his family now lives in New Mexico. He takes ...more

Young Adult Spotlight: Shane Cox – A Voice for the Invisible

A junior at Chico State University in California, Shane Cox might appear like just your average 20-year-old student. But when you take a closer look, you’ll notice something different about him. It’s not the handicapped plate on his pickup truck or the Humira injections he gives himself that really sets Shane apart from his peers. Instead, it’s his dedication to giving other kids with JA hope for their future that really makes him special. It’s his pay-it-forward attitude that made it easy to convince him to be the 2021 National JA Conference chair. And to make it even better, he’s ...more

The Arthritis Champions Scholarship is OPEN!

The Arthritis Foundation is proud to announce that the 2021-2022 Arthritis Champions Scholarship application is open! The Arthritis Champions Scholarship is generously funded by Dr. & Mrs. Walter J. Winterhoff, Dr. Smriti Bardhan and Alpha Omicron Pi. The Arthritis Champions Scholarship of $5,000 per academic year is awarded annually to deserving students with arthritis or a related rheumatic disease who: Impact the arthritis community, serving as positive role models and leaders Live their best life while empowering others to do the same Since 2010 the Arthritis Champions Scholarship has supported 51 college students, awarding nearly $570,000 altogether in scholarship awards. Each eligible ...more

State Victories for Advocacy 2020

2020年是带来许多不可预见挑战的一年。在这些困难时期，倡议者不断提高他们的声音，以支持立法，使不同的人与关节炎。COVID-19揭示了我们医疗系统中干扰医疗服务的问题。在州一级，这场大流行要求许多州的立法会议提前结束，很少开会，或适应虚拟会议。对于今年继续开会的州，许多立法机构将工作集中在COVID-19立法和预算问题上。因此，关节炎基金会、我们的联盟伙伴和我们的立法机构……more

Chef Michael Symon’s Recipe for Easing Arthritis Pain

On cooking shows like The Chew and Burgers, Brew and Que, the charismatic Chef Michael Symon, with his signature bald head and contagious smile, whips up mouth-watering dishes with what seems like boundless energy and enthusiasm. What’s not so apparent are his painful hands, aching knees and ankles, and lurking fatigue. Symon, 51, was diagnosed in his 20s with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and discoid lupus, a form of lupus that primarily affects the skin, but also the joints. “Literally one morning I woke up with these two enormous butterfly splotches under my eyes,” Symon recalls. At first, he and his dermatologist focused ...more

Arthritis Champions Scholarship

11月是国家奖学金月，关节炎基金会很自豪地向全国各地的优秀学生提供关节炎冠军奖学金，他们是“Yes can-do”精神冠军的典范。关节炎冠军奖学金项目由Walter J.和Kathryn M. Winterhoff捐赠奖学金基金，Dr. Smriti Bardhan学院奖学金基金和Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII)慷慨资助。Walter J. and Kathryn M. Winterhoff捐赠奖学金基金成立的目的是为患有风湿病的学生提供教育奖学金计划。Walter和Kay Winterhoff是图森的居民，他们对关节炎基金会的工作充满热情。这个…more