I need your support!

Me and my friend Stacy

Yes, friends and family, it's that time again, the time where I ask for your support in the battle against America's leading cause of disability!

By now, you know my story. You know that I've lived with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since I was 2. You know that it has affected practically every joint in my body, and you know that I have made many friends who are fighting this disease with me. Arthritis doesn't just affect old people, it affects people of all ages. It is not just aches and pains, it can be life altering. It can take away peoples' dreams, and sometimes, it can take their lives.

This week I heard sad news from my friend Stacy. She works at the Arthritis Foundation in Tennessee, and had just heard that the top fundraiser at last year's Chattanooga Arthritis Walk had passed away due to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, at the age of 51. This woman left behind a 16 year old daughter. Stacy also lost her mother to complications from rheumatoid arthritis when her mother was 51 and Stacy was just 16. It reminded me that, while there are some of us who will fight this disease for a long, long time, others have their battle time unfairly shortened because they have fought so hard.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, especially to those of you who have been supporting me for many years now.

This year, I'm walking in memory of Stacy's mom, Kim Cohen, and others like them who have lost the battle with arthritis.

Please visit my webpage and donate if you are able. The Arthritis Walk is this Saturday, April 26 in Richmond. (Yes, I know, I am a procrastinator.) If you live in the area and would like to walk with me, please let me know, or you can go to my webpage and click on "Join this team."

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=248776&lis=1&kntae248776=DD25BBAB30BE49EEA10B11FC9912565D&supId=60259997

Again, THANK YOU!

All my love,
lydia