Hudson Valley Arthritis Walk Saturday, May 5, 2012 Thomas Bull Memorial Park THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT FOR THE WALK!
Our Fundraising Goal Was $43,000! Thank You for Helping Us Exceed that Goal!
TEAM IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Team E.M.S.
On February 1st, 14-year-old Emily M. Scrobe of Chester was diagnosed with JRA (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis). She heard about the Hudson Valley Arthritis Walk a few weeks ago, she decided to pull together a team for the Arthritis Walk and name it Team E.M.S. Here is her story in her own words:
“Ever since I was born I was a medical mystery, but finally they were able to find out what was wrong with me. They only found it because I hurt my knee playing soccer in August. They were unable to find out why that was bothering me so much, so they sent me for physical therapy. During that I had horrible foot pain. This led to the discovery of what they thought to be a cyst. I had surgery in December 2011 to get it removed but it turned out to be a tumor. When they tested that they found the RA cells. They found the RA cells only because two years ago I had fallen running away from a bee and torn a capsule in my foot and that caused the fluid to leak and form the tumor... (Who knew that would be helpful!) So that's how we came to the answer that I have JRA! If that bee hadn't annoyed me, we still would be looking for an answer today!
I decided to form a team as soon as my family and I found out about the walk! At first I had not wanted to tell anyone that I was diagnosed with JRA, but after speaking to my parents I had realized that the best thing I could do is to try and spread the word. So many people have no idea that children get Arthritis too! That's why the more people know about Arthritis the better! I was accused many times of just faking my injury to get attention. They thought this because they noticed how some days I was better than other days and how I never really looked sick. They all have no idea what I am really going through, so it's my job now to teach them! I really hope that one day there will be a cure for Arthritis and soooo many people won't have to live in pain! I hope to become a Doctor and never ever tell a patient that I can't help them…”
And so, to spread the word about arthritis in younger people, Team E.M.S., in their matching team shirts, will join hundreds of walkers on Saturday in Montgomery to raise money and awareness for the disease that has touched the Scrobe family. Emily has reached out to friends, family members, and her school community for support. She has posted flyers for the Walk, sent out e-mails, held fundraising events with the help of the National Junior Honor Society, and continues to reach out and ask people to join her team or make a donation. She is hoping to have a team of 25+ walkers and reach her $1,000 goal!
Come out Saturday and walk for Emily or someone you know who is battling arthritis!
Arthritis Walk®
Please join us at the 2012 Hudson Valley Arthritis Walk®!
The Arthritis Walk® is the signature fundraising event for the Arthritis Foundation. But it's not just an event, it's a celebration of year-round movement to help prevent and treat arthritis.
Every year we get together to celebrate movement and make a positive impact on the lives of people living with arthritis by raising funds for arthritis research, education and life improvement programs in communities across the country.
Our rallying cry, Let's Move Together® encourages people to get up and get moving. When you join us at the Arthritis Walk®, you're not moving alone-you are becoming part of a community looking to achieve better health and change lives at the same time. We hope to see you there!
The Hudson Valley Arthritis Walk will be a fun-filled family event held at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery, NY. The event will feature a 5k walk as well as a Kids' Fun Run (100-yeard dash for kids 12 and younger), the Kids' Zone play area, and the "Dog Pen" (an area where pet owners can get information on arthritis in animals) and so much more! Bring the whole family and the dog (on a leash, of course)!
So - register today! Form a team and invite family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors to join you in raising awareness and funds for the fight against arthritis.
