2019 Jingle Bell Run Honorees

 

Nirav J. Shah, M.D.
Orthopaedics
Medical Honoree

Dr. Shah enjoys orthopaedics because it allows him to get patients back up on their feet and into the comfort of their own home as quickly as possible. He approaches his patient relationships with the goal to educate, as each individual and each situation is unique. “I try to communicate with patients on their level, rather than throwing technical information at them,” he says.

When away from the office, Dr. Shah is an avid golfer. He also enjoys exploring the city with his wife by trying new restaurants and enjoying the occasional trip to the movie theater.

Dr. Shah attended Columbia University for his undergraduate degree and USC for medical school, completing his residency at Albany Medical Center in New York and his fellowship at Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute in Alexandria, VA.


Amélie Graves
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Youth Honoree

Amélie Graves is an adventurous and independent 9 year old, who lives life to the fullest despite her juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). She enjoys school, science, karate, cheerleading, horseback riding, and playing with friends.

Amélie’s JIA journey started at the age of 5 years old, on a trip to Yosemite when she had a complaint about pain in her left ankle. The assumption was she injured it when she had slipped on a patch of ice earlier in the day. Six weeks later she still had pain and swelling in her foot (and now left knee as well). After multiple exams, X-rays, and an MRI, her orthopedist suggested a blood test, which pointed to a problem with her immune system. After meeting with a rheumatologist, Amelie and her family learned that Kids Get Arthritis Too! Just after her 6th birthday, it was confirmed that Amelie has juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Though those many weeks of uncertainty were difficult, Amélie and her family are now grateful to have gotten such a quick diagnosis as they realize sometimes children don’t have a diagnosis for many months or even years.

Amélie loves advocating for other children and adults, who live daily, with this painful condition and enjoys educating others about arthritis. Through the Arthritis Foundation, she enjoys many events such as such as the Arthritis Conference, The Painted Turtle Camp, and JA Days. Amélie is currently being treated with Enbrel and Leflunomide and is doing much better than she has in years. She is hoping that future scientific break throughs will continue to help patients and that arthritis will someday be a thing of the past. She supports the Arthritis Foundation in all of their endeavors to make this dream possible for everyone living with JIA and RA.

Join Amélie in her fight against arthritis, register or donate today!