2008 Honorees

Introducing you to our 2008 Walk Honorees

From Colorado Springs...

By looking at 15 year old Amaya Duncan, nothing appears out of the ordinary. She is a loving daugher, a sister and acts like most typical teenagers. She attends school where she is involved in three clubs, has a small part in the school play, and is on the swim team. She was even chosen as the 2007-2008 Mayor's Top 11 Teens of Colorado Springs. Amaya also battle arthritis and lupus. Currently, she is taking Indocin,Prednisone and Planqunil. She does not let this set back get her down. She just spoke at the Denver Commitment to a Cure Luncheon in November and volunteers with the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Her goal in life is to go into autoimmune research to find a cure for arthritis.

From Bozeman, Montana...
Five years ago, 55 year old Denise Rogers was diagnosed with arthritis. Currently, she is taking Celebrex. She also particpates in the Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic Program that helps ease her joint pain. Her service dog, Sampson, helps her get around when needed as she uses both metal braces on her knees and a wheelchair when the pain is unbearable. Denise is a full time Minister of St. Paul's Community A.M.E. Church. She wants the public to know that arthritis is a disease that affects everyone and that money collected will help find effective treatments for arthritis and one day, a cure.

From North and South Metro Denver...

It's frustrating for 11 year old Alex Fernandez as he battles his arthritis. He can't always do the things that he wants to these days and spends a lot of time inside. Alex was diagnosed with arthritis three years ago after experiencing pain in his lower body, fatigue and sometimes could not get out of bed nor walk very far because of the pain. Currently, he is on Dicloflenac, Methotrexite, Tramadol, Enbrel, and Omeprozole to manage the pain. He also works with a management team to have pain blocks done once a month. He wants others to know that kids can get arthritis too. "Arthritis should not be ignored as a disease."