Meet the Youth Chairs
Alexandra Bryans - Bergen Walk
I feel so privileged to be the 2009 Youth Chair for Bergen County. I’ve always wanted to have the best opportunity I could tell people about Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and the auto-immune diseases that children have to live with. It is a shame these sorts of diseases are not very well known, and it is an honor to be chosen as a spokesperson to promote the Arthritis Foundation and raise awareness about these diseases. I am very excited to share my story and share first-hand the struggles a child and teenager can go through in my situation. Thank you so much for giving me the chance.
Jacob Sivel - Camden Walk
Hello, my name is Jacob Sivel and I am 13 years old. I was diagnosed with JRA when I was 7. Some days I feel good, other days not so good. I have learned that even though there are bad days, things do eventually get better. I remind myself of the people around me - my parents, doctors and friends at the Arthritis Foundation, as well as the kids at Camp JRA. I am very happy and proud to be Youth Chair, so I can help bring attention not only to the challenges that kids face, but to the positive influences the Arthritis Foundation has brought to my life. As the Youth Chair, I can also express how important it is to support the Foundation’s efforts to raise money for research so that a cure may be found, and to give hope that the 'day when things will get better' is soon.
Sean Ritz - Essex Walk
Hello, my name is Sean Ritz and I am honored to be the youth chair of the 2009 Essex County Arthritis Walk. I have had JRA since I was 6 years old; I am fifteen now and arthritis is a daily struggle for me. I have participated in the walk for 4 years now. I do the walk every year because I want to find a cure for children like me and spread awareness that children can also have arthritis.
Carrick O'Conner Porter - Mercer Walk
Hi! I am Carrick O’Connor Porter. I have lived with rheumatoid arthritis for seven years, since I was nine years old. I participate in the Arthritis Walk every year because it is a bridge to making our communities aware of how many people suffer from arthritis and how much we need to do to address research needs for a cure. Please consider coming out on May 3rd to walk at Princeton Forrestal Village and making a contribution to the Arthritis Foundation. See you there!
Kaitlyn Smeraldo - Middlesex Walk
"It has been an honor to be chosen as the Youth Chairperson for this Walk. I have battled arthritis for four years, and I am dedicated to raising money to help find a cure. I also hope to raise more awareness about the disease, especially educating people that children can get arthritis, too. This is the second year of the Waterfront Walk, and I hope to help make it even more successful than it was last year. I hope to see a great turnout!"
Krystina Malfa - Monmouth/Ocean Walk
"Optimism is one of the most important qualities a person can have, especially when living with Arthritis. Never let pain or discomfort stop you from achieving anything in life. The only way it should affect you is by making you stronger and stronger as the years go by. As Youth Chair, my number one priority is to spread this attitude among as many people afflicted as I possibly can."
Jessie Pallante - Morris/Sussex/Warren Walk
Hi, my name is Jessie Pallante and I am 12 years old. I have had arthritis since I was 20 months old. I am very excited and honored to be the 2009 Youth Chair for the Morris/Sussex/Warren Arthritis Walk. My family and I have participated in the walk for 4 years. I will try to do everything I can to make this walk great. I will also try my best to make people aware that kids get arthritis too and together, I know that one day a cure will be found!
Courtney Elentrio - Ocean City Walk
"I am honored to be chosen as this year’s 2009 Young Adult Chair. I have had arthritis for three years and this will also be my third Arthritis walk. It will be a great one!"
Katie Crider - Ocean City Walk * Young Adult Chair
"I am both thrilled and proud to be this year's Young Adult Chair for the 2009 Ocean City Arthritis Walk. I hope that with this opportunity I can help bring awareness to the cause and let people know that arthritis can affect anyone, no matter how old or young they may be. I am looking forward to the walk and hope that the money raised can help get us many steps closer to having a cure for this disease."
