The Arthritis Foundation announced that it will honor arthritis patients and volunteers Abby Ferraro and Amanda Watt at its 2023 National Walk to Cure Arthritis. Ms. Ferraro was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis in her right leg at 19 months and later developed uveitis and Crohn’s disease. She soon began participating in juvenile arthritis camps and the annual Family Summit and has since published a book to help others cope with juvenile arthritis, donated its earnings to the foundation, and raised over $125,000 for the Walk to Cure Arthritis. Ms. Watt experienced pain since she was 10 years old and was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at 26 years of age. She has since become the Philanthropy Chair of her local Arthritis Foundation chapter, which continues to raise millions of dollars for arthritis research. Ms. Watt manages the disease by regularly stretching and walking as well as taking various medications and undergoing spinal treatments. Both patient-volunteers have found a supportive community connecting them to other patients through the Arthritis Foundation. “[Ms. Ferraro and Ms. Watt] represent some of our most dedicated volunteers, who continue to inspire the arthritis community with their perseverance and commitment to helping us conquer the disease,” concluded Steven Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Arthritis Foundation. The Walk to Cure Arthritis will take place from April to May across the country.
May 25, 2023