Juvenile Arthritis
JA Weekend 2010
Join us for our Sixth Annual JA Weekend, January 29 -31, 2010, as the Mid-Atlantic Chapters converge on the Great Wolf Lodge to Rustle Up Hope for juvenile arthritis. JA Weekend is a fun-filled time designed for families with children ages (3-16) living with a juvenile rheumatic disease and especially geared towards newly diagnosed patients to navigate the new world of arthritis, to network and to know they are not in this alone. This is also an informative conference led by rheumatologists and health care professionals to give parents the latest on treatments and available options.
Register today. Priority is given to newly diagnosed children and their families and to families who have not previously attended JA Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge.
Second Annual Fall Outing
The Virginia Chapter held its Second Annual Fall Outing, Sunday, October 11 at the Chesterfield Berry Farm. JA families joined us to meet other families, network and to learn about the Virginia Chapter's upcoming events and how they can get involved. Board member Reggie Terry encouraged families to utilize our services and resources. He explained how it has made a difference in his family's life. Families took part in a raffle winning wonderful prices from Bone Bash tickets, books on JA from our own Jessica Stanley to exercise equipment. The Virginia Chapter wants you to be involved. Join us to make a difference. Call Dana at 800.456.4687.
2009 JA Essay Contest Winners
Congratulations to our 2009 JA Essay Contest "It's No Day at the Park" winners. Our first place winner is Michael Bottoms of Emporia. Michael will receive a bicycle valued at $300 courtesy of runriderace.com and Carytown Bicycle Company of Richmond. Our second place winner is Brandi Jones of Mechanicsville. Brandi will receive an ipod and ipod armband courtesy of Crutchfield Electronics in Charlottesville. All participants will receive bowling tickets to AMF Bowling Centers for one free game. Each time they bowl, the Arthritis Foundation, will receive $1.
Having arthritis is no day at the park. 300,000 children have arthritis including 7,200 in Virginia. But, having arthritis is not the end. But, perhaps a beginning to leading a happy and healthy life through hope, faith and yes, movement.
Exercise is the most consistent treatment of arthritis. We hope our winners and all of our JA Family will move together. Whether it is cycling, walking, running, swimming, baseball or any activity get out and move! For more information on our Let's Move Together campaign, please visit, www.lmt.arthritis.org.
A special thank you to our judges Julie Bragg and Greg McQuade of WTVR's Virginia This Morning.
Free "Kids Get Arthritis Too" Newsletter
"Kids Get Arthritis Too" is a bi-monthly wellness letter fro families of children with arthritis. It gives you the latest on healthcare access, treatment options, research updates and more. This informative newsletter is brought to you by Amgen and Wyeth. If you would like to receive the newsletter, contact Dana Mayo or call 800.456.4687. ext 307. Stay tuned.
Raising a Child With Arthritis
From the editors of the newsletter Kids Get Arthritis Too is a brand-new edition of Raising A Child With Arthritis. Cutting through the medical textbook jargon, this book covers how to understand disease types, treatment and research, financial concerns, school challenges and more. Personal stories sharing personal triumph and tips for success are peppered throughout. The appendix includes helpful worksheets, charts and a list of additional resources. Order in the Arthritis Foundation online store or by calling 800-283-7800.
