2019 Jingle Bell Run Honorees

 

Kathleen Vazzana, DO, MSC
Pediatric Rheumatology
Medical Honoree  

Kathleen M. Vazzana, DO, MSc is a pediatric rheumatology fellow at Children’s National Hospital and the National Institute of Health. Dr. Vazzana earned her medical degree at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, FL. During her training, she received the Stanley Schiowitz Excellence in Osteopathic Medicine and the American Osteopathic Foundation McCaughan Heritage Scholarship Awards.

As a pediatric rheumatology fellow, Dr. Vazzana is being trained as a specialist in childhood autoimmune disorders, including juvenile arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. This summer, she served as a camp physician at Camp Holiday Trails- a camp for children with medical needs including arthritis. In this role, Dr. Vazzana greatly valued getting to know the daily journey of children with arthritis. As an avid distance runner, Dr. Vazzana knows the importance of exercise and wants to partner with patients and families to improve mobility and aid in children participating in sports and other physical activities.

To support Kathleen or join her team, please visit her fundraising page today!



Irin Willis-Allen
Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis 
Adult Honoree

 The 2019 Adult Honoree is Mrs. Irin E. Wills-Allen. Adding to her rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, she is a mom, wife, daughter, sister, cousin, friend and Advocate for Arthritis and Autism. Yes, her two boys have Autism which adds additional challenges.

Various forms of an Auto Immune Disease run in Mrs. Wills-Allen’s family. Her Arthritis adventure started o/a 1993 but she didn’t stop her busy life. As a student at Washington Adventist University (formerly CUC) she experienced daily knee pain. She was seen by the school doctor who examined her knees, diagnosed Arthritis and gave her meds. Before college, she was a Masonic drill team member, did volunteer work, sleepovers, exercised daily, and was active in the church. In 2003, Irin got married and graduated from the University of Maryland University College, while working and moving with pain. This was when she noticed her equilibrium was off, she was losing her balance, falling and walking slowly.

After having children in 2005 and 2010, her finger joints began hurting. She had difficulty playing with her sons, washing dishes or folding clothes without being tried, so her husband and mother helped. In 2014, she visited Dr. Tanya Lumpkin’s, a rheumatologist and she regularly tests her RA factor, Lupus and runs labs. Irin is now taking six arthritis medications and oil supplements and still, her fingers get stiff, heated, and are painful which makes it hard for her to carry and hold items. Her knees hurt and she cannot kneel without feeling pain. She had OT and PT on her hands and knees to help with everyday duties. All therapies help along with exercising.

Currently, Irin participates in various activities, but she listens to her body when it says to rest/slow down. The slogans “Just Do It” and “Keep It Moving” to help her stay focused on life, not arthritis pain.

To support Irin or join her team please click here! 


Deborah Moses
Rheumatoid Arthritis 
Adult Honoree


Entrepreneur, group fitness instructor, speaker and community volunteer. This is Deborah Moses, who also has lived with multiple auto-immune conditions for over 35 years - rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and raynaud’s, a combination in the 1980s perceived as “an old person’s disease” and “all in your head”.  

Over the first 15 years, Deborah tried a combination of drugs to pursue her path in the corporate world and contribute to breaking the glass ceiling. This took a toll both physically and emotionally, resulting in daily pain, additional diagnoses and wondering if she could work full-time ever again. 

A self-starter, it was time to take charge and create a life plan that would lead to a balanced lifestyle for the mind, body, and spirit. The balanced plan continues to evolve; with vigilance in food selection, incorporating cardio and strength-training, massage therapy and family/friend/community support.

Now at 62 years young, Deborah is taking the next step in her life journey, as she pursues her passion – Advocate for a healthy lifestyle and champion in the fight to find a cure for rheumatoid arthritis… “a cure for one auto-immune disease will pave the way for breakthroughs across the spectrum”.

To support Deborah or join her team please click here!