National Walk to Cure Arthritis Honorees

2019 National Youth Honoree
Carson Rose
Carson Rose has been dealing with the effects of arthritis since he was just 10 months old. Though not diagnosed until three months later, the disease kept him from crawling normally, and treatment was vital as he learned to walk. Unlike most kids, simple tasks likes playing with Legos or coloring were painful for Carson.

Fortunately, through an aggressive treatment plan, Carson is in remission today. Now 7, he is active in sports, including wrestling, baseball and basketball. Over the past three years, he and his Walk to Cure Arthritis team, Carson’s Crew, have raised more than $23,000 to support arthritis research, boosted by social media and online fundraising. Carson was the youth honoree for the local walk event in 2015.

Carson’s family is fully engaged with the Arthritis Foundation, serving on multiple JA Conference committees on the local and national levels. His dad, Jason, volunteers his talents as a chef, leading a nutrition course at national conference for families living with JA. His mom, Chrissy, is active in the mom’s group. His older sister, Kylee, often joins them in fundraising and has volunteered her time working the T-shirt table at the conference. In addition, the Roses are an invaluable resource for newly-diagnosed families in their area.

2019 National Adult Honoree
Helen King
Like many affected by arthritis, Helen King found herself having to say “no” a lot to things she once enjoyed, like attending concerts, ballgames and family gatherings. Diagnosed with aggressive rheumatoid arthritis four years ago, she learned how to manage her physical and emotional pain through medications and by immersing herself in supporting others who struggle with the disease.

As the mother of two grown sons and with a full-time career, Helen volunteers for our cause in several ways. She has achieved the status of Platinum Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation, advocating for more accessible and affordable health care. She also serves on the Foundation’s local leadership board, where she is network leader of the Live Yes! Connect support group in her hometown of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

In 2017, Helen’s Walk to Cure Arthritis team, King’s RA Queens, raised over $12,000. Last year, they brought in more than $30,000, ranking as the #7 fundraising team nationally. This year, she is the event chair for the Philadelphia walk event. “Representing people who have yet to find their voices in this disease in a real honor,” she says. Helen is a committed arthritis warrior who keeps bringing more warriors to our community.

In addition to being the 2019 National Adult Honoree for Walk to Cure Arthritis, Helen also serves in the following roles within the Arthritis Foundation:

• Live Yes! Connect Facilitator - King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
• Local Board Leader Philadelphia- Live Yes! Connect Network Chair
• 2019 Walk to Cure Arthritis Philadelphia -  Walk Chair
• Philadelphia Walk Team Captain (Top Fundraising Team 2017 & 2018)
• Platinum Ambassador