Community Gathers to Walk for the Cure

Did you know that more than 53 million people, including 300,000 children, live with arthritis pain every day? The Walk to Cure Arthritis raises funds and awareness to fight against this daily battle that so many struggle with. Millions benefit from the research possible through donations made to the Arthritis Foundation. This year, the Walk to Cure Arthritis was held at the Anaheim stadium featuring a three-mile and one-mile course. Washington High School’s Success by Choice program came out to the 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis with Founder and Director, Nina Torres. This marks the 7th walk that Washington High School students have participated in. With members district-wide, over 20 walkers from WHS participated in the walk. Torres was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 18 and has been living with it for 23 years. In the span of 23 years, Torres has undergone 12 surgeries, replacing every joint from the waist down and has even had her hips, knees and ankles fused together. Usually, Nina Torres and the Walk for Mrs. Nina Team partakes in the walk in honor of her efforts to find a cure, but this was a special year for Nina. After 23 long years, Torres finally found a successful form of treatment called Xeljanz. She began treatment a little over 2 months ago and since then, her lab results have shown that her RA has gone from Severe RA to Mild RA. This year’s walk was in celebration of what Nina claims to be her cure. This year, Torres joined forces with Murphy’s Angels, led by captains, Tom and Joyce Murphy. Joyce has been living with RA since she was 39 years old. Alone, Torres raised $500 but the team total was over $30,000, earning them the #1 spot in team fundraisers. The Murphy’s also formed TEAM CODY in support of their 14-year-old son, who was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis this year. This was also Cody’s first walk. With over 20 walkers, Team Cody raised over $4,000. Next year, the Walk for Mrs. Nina Team will also be walking for Cody Murphy. The Walk to Cure Arthritis may only last one day, but the impact of donations will continue to help millions of people for years. The 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis raised over $430,000. [END] This year Success by Choice walked in our Annual Arthritis Walk. This was the 7th one that WHS students participated in. Usually I have my own team and we are the WALK FOR MRS.NINA team but this year we joined a team. We joined the Murphys Angels. Our team captain was Tom and Joyce Murphy. Joyce has been living with Rheumatoid Arthritis since she was 39 years old. As for myself I was diagnosed at 18 and have been living with RA for 23 years (yes I am 41 years old now). I have had 12 surgeries (every joint waste down has been replaced…hips knees and ankles are fused). Usually my team walks to support my personal efforts to find a cure but this year I am calling it the YEAR OF THE CURE! After 23 long years I have found the one treatment that is actually working. I started the Xeljanz treatment just a little over 2 months ago. Since then lab results show that my RA has gone from SEVERE RA TO MILD RA!!!! This walk was in celebration of what I am claiming to be my cure! We joined the Murphy’s Angels Team this year. I raised $500 but the team total was over $30,000 that was raised by Tom and Joyce Murphy (team captains) Success by Choice currently has members DISTRICT WIDE!!!!! WE HAD OVER 2O WALKERS FROM WHS AND STAFF. I will be send you the pictures I am sending a picture of a child by the name of Cody Murphy from Redlands CA. He is 14 years old and is my son’s friend. Just this year he was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. So next year we will walk for him!!!! This year was Cody’s first walk. Once his mom told me about his diagnoses I told her about the walk and she quickly formed TEAM CODY. They had over 20 walkers and raised over $4000! BELOW IS JUST INFO ABOUT THE WALK FROM THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION WEBSITE The Walk to Cure Arthritis raises funds and awareness to fight the nation's leading cause of disability. We aren't just helping the millions of people who live with arthritis pain, we're funding research that's getting us closer to a cure. The event is at Anaheim Stadium on June 1, 2014 and features a three-mile and one-mile course. We'll have information about arthritis and fun activities for the entire family. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs. Let's walk together, support each other and raise funds to find a cure for arthritis! Register today! - See more at: http://ocwalktocurearthritis.kintera.org/faf/help/helpEventInfo.asp?ievent=1092843&lis=1&kntae1092843=BCE0709B277C4533946943C41D02AA6F#sthash.qgxjhXiD.dpuf More than 53 million people, including 300,000 children, live with arthritis pain every day. It's important to me to help change that, so I've joined the Walk to Cure Arthritis. We're walking together and working together to help create a world free from arthritis pain. Here's where you come in. Your generous donation will help the Arthritis Foundation get closer to a cure. Please click on the link below to go to my personal fundraising page and make a donation today. Your contribution supports the Arthritis Foundation's mission to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. And it helps me fulfill my mission to make a big impact on this disease. The Walk to Cure Arthritis may only last one day, but the impact of your donation will continue to help millions of people for years.