Sarah Elizabeth Danchik - 2009 Child Honoree

The Arthritis Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Chapter is proud to announce Sarah Danchik, 14, as the 2009 Western Pennsylvania Arthritis Walk Child Honoree.

Sarah Elizabeth was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis a year ago. Sarah’s mother Elizabeth Knisely describes her daughter’s diagnosis as shocking.

“Sarah’s fingers started to change and we thought maybe she broke her pinky finger, but after testing, they gave us a diagnosis of JRA,” Elizabeth said. “We were shocked. Sarah has never complained of an ache or pain, but if she did we blamed it on her dancing. She is a competitive dancer and dances four nights a week. After we found out, Sarah would wake up crying in pain. Every joint ached. I guess the JRA was in its prime in Sarah's body.”

Despite the pain, Sarah has not let JRA interfere with her greatest passion: dance.

“I dance so it keeps me going and helps my joints,” Sarah said. “I have been dancing for 11 years now and when I was diagnosed with this people asked me 'Well how are you going to dance now that you have arthritis?' I just told them this wasn’t going to stop me from pursuing my childhood dream of being a dancer. Dance is my life!”

The upcoming arthritis walk has also helped Sarah feel less alone in her disease.

 “Sarah feels JRA is an older persons disease and struggles with that,” Elizabeth said. “She became angry at first, but is dealing a lot better with it now. Her doctor, David J. Helfrich, MD, is striving to keep her dancing. She didn't want many of her friends to know, but now that there's a walk, she wants to invite her friends. I feel the walk will show Sarah she's not the only kid with JRA. We are excited to come.”

The Western PA Arthritis Walk will be held at Kennywood Amusement Park on May 9, 2009. Registration for the 5k walk will begin at 8 a.m. and the walk will start at 9:30 a.m. After the walk, the Arthritis Foundation will also host a Juvenile Arthritis Family Day in the park. For information on the walk or awareness day please visit westernpennsylvania.arthritis.org or call the Arthritis Foundation at (412) 566-1645.