Meet Our Heroes

At 14 years old, Marissa was very much involved in family, school and community activities.  She started experiencing severe pain in the hands after participating in sports.  They would swell, appear to have a blue tint, and the tendons would actually stretch and snap.  Marissa was diagnosed with an unusual form of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis called Spondyloarthropathy...more

Marissa, now 20, shares her story with you so that people can become aware of how important it is to work together in trying to find a way to prevent or control arthritis.  Register Today!

My name is Irmadean Lance and I have had Arthritis for over 30 years.  I used to think Arthritis was just a disease that was a nuisance and caused people a lot of discomfort. Now I know it is a disease that not only is extremely painful but also extremely debilitating.

Arthritis has changed my life in many ways and has taken away much of my independence. I used to love to get out and walk 3-4 miles a day.  Those were the good old days, doing yard work and talking with the neighbors.  I had aches and pains but I was still very active.

Then about 5 years ago I started falling and I didn't know why. Through testing I found out that my Arthritis was making my spine offset which was pinching a nerve and making me fall. The Arthritis was forcing my spine out of alignment so badly that it actually fractured my vertebrae and damaged my spinal cord...more