Katie Taves
Polyarticular Juvenile Arthritis
Adult Honoree

Katie Taves was a normal nine-year-old girl who was an above average athlete, loved hanging out with her friends and played three different sports in school. This all changed when Katie was unexpectedly diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile arthritis (JIA).

JIA spread from her knees to 27 joints making everyday tasks a challenge. She could no longer write in school and had no energy.  Her medical team escalated her medicines to include infusions and chemotherapy. School and everyday tasks became difficult as she struggled through junior high and high school. She was forced to drop her A/P Classes and eventually became too sick to attend school her sophomore year. Although it was difficult, Katie graduated in May 2017 and matriculated to University of San Francisco (USF).

Though Katie still suffers from her disease, she has thrived at USF. Katie has been on the Dean’s List every semester and carries a 3.85 GPA. Katie is the Fundraising Director for her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta.

For Katie, the Arthritis Foundation has made living with this disease easier and more manageable. She first attended Camp Milagros in 2010 and returned every year since then. Camp Milagros helped Katie realize that she is not alone in her disease and helped her find her value and confidence in the things that she is able to do. The connections that she has made through Camp Milagros and Teen Retreat help her every day and Katie is now a junior counselor at Camp Milagros and a volunteer at Teen Retreat.

“The Walk to Cure Arthritis is important because if gives other kids a chance to attend camp, and learn that they are not alone.  Your support of this event will ensure that people like me can learn to find their passions! If you are able, please give.”

To learn more about Katie, click here.