Mission Ambassadors Help Fuel the Carolina Hills Classic
Their stories of resilience and resolve underscore what the Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour is all about — improving the lives of millions with arthritis.
The Mission Ambassadors for the Arthritis Foundation’s Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour provide hope and inspiration for the arthritis community. Their stories are reminders that each crank of the pedal and every dollar raised helps provide life-changing resources and research for the millions of people living with arthritis.
These are their stories.
Kirsten Ambrose, 53, Durham, NC
With more than 25 years in chronic pain research and currently in public health, Kirsten Ambrose has had the Arthritis Foundation as a partner for years. “This is part of what inspired me to join the Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour,” she says. She also has helped care for loved ones with arthritis, including her husband, so it’s a cause that’s close to her heart.
“As someone who (gratefully) does not have arthritis, these experiences help me to understand better … and appreciate the importance — and need — for supporting people with arthritis and organizations like the Arthritis Foundation,” Kirsten says.
“It is a privilege to be able to ride a bike, and it is wonderful and fulfilling to experience a day (or several days) where your only real job is to ride … in a beautiful place among a supportive community for the purpose of helping other people.”
Laura Jorgensen, 39, Asheville, NC
Laura was diagnosed in her 20s with osteoarthritis. Considered too young for joint replacement, she tried physical therapy, joint injections and more, but the joint damage progressed. “I learned how to function at a high level while in daily pain,” she says.
“Arthritis shaped my life in ways people couldn’t always see. It taught me patience, resilience and deep respect for invisible battles,” says Laura, who finally got a new joint at age 39.
The Arthritis Foundation’s work is “deeply meaningful,” she adds. “Arthritis is often misunderstood as something minor or age-related when it can be life-altering and emotionally taxing. The Foundation creates space for stories like mine to be seen and validated.”
She has a message for Carolina Hills Classic cyclists: “Movement is a privilege. When the course gets tough, lean into gratitude. Lean into the community riding beside you. Lean into the fact that you are capable of doing hard things. And don’t waste a single downhill.”
Xavier, 15, was just 2 when he started having trouble walking. After many doctor visits, he finally had an MRI that revealed arthritis in his hip. With his rheumatologist’s guidance and much trial and error, he started an effective medication.
“Over the years, I’ve been able to return to all the sports and activities that I love, and am currently running for my high school cross country and track teams,” he says. “Daily movement and exercise have helped me continue to keep my symptoms under control.”
His family joined their local Walk to Cure Arthritis shortly after Xavier’s diagnosis, and they have become great Arthritis Foundation supporters. They have held their own fundraisers, and Xavier was selected as Youth Honoree for the Charlotte, NC, Jingle Bell Run.
“What you are doing is above and beyond!” he says to riders. “What an incredible way to help support the Arthritis Foundation, raise awareness and have fun!”
Bobbie Watts, PhD, CHFP, Atlanta
People ride recumbent or road bikes, e-bikes or stand-up pedal bikes in Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experiences — adapting/modifying their riding as needed. Bobbie Watts, PhD, CHFP, is all about helping people with arthritis do what they need and want to do.
Dr. Watts, engineering director of the Foundation’s Tilt Beauty Ease of Use Lab, is helping by making products and packaging easier to use. “As a human-factors engineer, my goal is to help make the world more inclusive. So I’m doing what I can, from that engineering-design perspective, to help those with arthritis.”
She’ll be celebrating with Carolina Hills Classic riders, whose stories fuel her enthusiasm and commitment.
“Everybody’s driven by something, and hearing those stories helps to drive me and my passion and what I’m doing to make the world more inclusive with our Ease of Use — trying to push designers to design things so that everybody can really use them.”
Most people wouldn’t know Levi was very sick as a child or that he gets regular infusions to control his arthritis. He’s a happy, active 13-year-old who plays clarinet in his school band and piano and clarinet at his church. In the summertime, you’ll find him playing soccer with his friends and brother or swimming, and he’s an enthusiastic member of his school’s e-Sports team.
But when he was younger, he had several years of unexplained symptoms and misdiagnoses before he finally was diagnosed at age 7 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It took even longer before he started a medication that controls his disease.
Now, he’s standing up and speaking out to raise awareness for other children and teens with this disease, and his family is supporting him all the way. As his mother says, “Juvenile arthritis is only one part of Levi’s story, not the part that defines him.”
Previous Ambassadors
2025 Ambassadors
Shinju Morris was on her high school fencing team when she noticed her “hot knees.” She now knows it was inflammation from arthritis.
“The symptoms weren't really a problem until I began to have excruciating pain in my sacroiliac joints at about age 20,” says Shinju. She also had eye inflammation, but it wasn’t until she was 26 that a rheumatologist diagnosed her ankylosing spondylitis.
Medication mostly controlled it until three years ago, when her pain and inflammation spiked and her medication failed. “I'm now on my third type of injectable and I hope to have more relief soon,” says Shinju, who also is planning for a knee replacement after her recent osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis.
She remains resilient, happy to be a Mission Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation’s inaugural Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour. She says, “I'm looking forward to more cycling and travel in the years ahead with my bionic knee.”
Mitch Briningstool — Tennessee
Mitch Briningstool, the brother of current Kansas City Chiefs and former Clemson University tight end Jake Briningstool, has faced significant challenges from juvenile idiopathic arthritis since he was 2. His journey has included numerous hospital visits, various treatments and multiple surgeries.
Despite the hardships, Mitch, now in his mid-20s, remains a beacon of strength and positivity for his family, particularly for Jake, who is passionate about raising awareness about arthritis. By sharing Mitch’s inspiring story, Jake sheds light on the struggles faced by young people dealing with this debilitating condition, while he also fundraises for vital research initiatives.
The close bond between Mitch and Jake exemplifies the power of family support and community in overcoming adversity while highlighting the importance of perseverance and hope in the face of challenges. Mitch says he’s honored to be a Mission Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation’s inaugural Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour.
Natalie Decker Lemke — North Carolina
For as long as she can remember, Natalie Decker Lemke has always wanted to be a NASCAR driver. And despite a life full of ups and downs after being diagnosed with juvenile arthritis (JA) at age 2, Natalie has accomplished that goal — and so much more.
Today, the NASCAR driver is also a mom and a strong advocate of the Arthritis Foundation. Over the years, Natalie has worked with the Foundation in many capacities — through Live Yes! Connect Groups, JA Camps and, most recently, as a Carolina Hills Classic Mission Ambassador.
She says she understands how having a community of support is vital to empowering young people with arthritis to chase their dreams and live a full life. “Together, with the Arthritis Foundation and the public’s help, we can change lives,” says Natalie.
Since 2011, Chef Biju Thomas has struggled with gout — a form of arthritis that appears with sudden, painful attacks.
A lifelong cyclist, Biju has cooked for professional cycling teams, Burning Man attendees and more. He hosts The Road Less Eaten on Outside TV and has authored several books.
“[Gout] has been a massive challenge as someone who works a very physical job requiring 10 to 15 hours of standing daily, regular travel and very inconsistent diet and hydration routine,” he says. “The pain has been debilitating at times, but I've learned to struggle through it, and in the last four years have found medication that finally makes it manageable.”
He will join the inaugural Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour as a national Celebrity Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation, and as a rider.
His advice for less experienced riders: “Don't let the ride or the physical nature of the event intimidate you. You will be among very supportive staff, fellow riders and folks with stories and experiences to share, which will make your journey forward that much better.”
Tess was diagnosed with JA at age 6. Back then, like most kindergarteners, she just wanted to play, but she worried she’d be unable to play the piano or be on the soccer team.
“It was difficult to get adjusted to the amount of medicine I had to take and to adapt to living with the disease,” says Tess. But adapt she did. “I had my family and friends that supported me,” says Tess, now a sophomore in high school.
Tess is a testament to resilience. She says, “It might be scary at first, but there are many resources to help you such as the Arthritis Foundation. Tess is excited to be a Mission Ambassador for the Foundation’s inaugural Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour. She says, “It is important to be brave and to remember that there is a community of support to help.”
Mila’s JA journey started just after her second birthday. She had a double ear infection and 10 days later a rash appeared. Shortly after, she was struggling to walk. She eventually was diagnosed with a septic knee joint and hospitalized.
At a follow-up appointment, Mila’s doctor was concerned that the swelling wasn't going away. Bloodwork confirmed Mila had JA — which by then affected her knees, right ankle, toes and wrist. She started a biologic and methotrexate.
“Within two days of that first dose, all of her inflammation disappeared, and she was running and jumping again, which is something she hadn't done in the 6 months prior,” says Jenn, Mila’s mom.
Now 4, Mila has been in medicated remission for over two years and is excited to be a Mission Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation’s inaugural Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour. “While quarterly blood work and extra doctor's appointments are never fun,” says Jenn, “we are so thankful that she can live a full, normal, active life!”
Amy Rogers was first diagnosed with OA in her early 50s. The OA started with soreness and tingling in her hands and has since then started affecting her feet and knees, as well.
Amy says the Arthritis Foundation has played a crucial role in her OA journey, providing a bounty of information about treatments and how to best live with OA. “More importantly, I have been able to refer friends who have been impacted by arthritis — one of whom has a daughter who has been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis and another who was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis,” she says.
She’s honored to be a Mission Ambassador for the Foundation’s inaugural Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour and reminds participants about the important role the Foundation serves in so many lives — including her own. “Their participation and fundraising are going to help so many.”
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Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience
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