Jennifer Becker, MD
Medical Honoree

Dr. Becker is a compassionate, board-certified rheumatologist who cares for adults with autoimmune diseases. She enjoys building a trusting relationship with her patients and forming a comprehensive treatment regimen that takes into consideration a patient’s personal values and lifestyle. As an active mountain biker, yogi and runner, she places great emphasis on keeping her patients healthy and active. Dr. Becker is a member of the American College of Rheumatology.

Join Dr. Becker in the fight against arthritis, register or donate today!

Barbara Ramey
Adult Honoree

We asked long time Jingle Bell Run participant, Barbara Ramey, if she would be willing to be our 2018 Honoree. She says she “was humbled” to be asked and her first reaction was to decline because she didn't see herself as "worthy.” Barbara mentioned that she is, “still trying to deny she has arthritis six years after her diagnosis.” After thinking on it for a couple of days, she decided to say yes and to step outside of her comfort zone and be a face for arthritis. 

Barbara wasn't diagnosed with arthritis until after she had already registered for her first Jingle Bell Run event in 2014. “Standing in line at Whiskey Gulch,” she says, “I saw a flyer with information on the upcoming Jingle Bell Run.” Reading it, she says, “something blossomed inside me and I knew I could do this, I would do this.”

She signed up and began her training. It had been a few years since she’d ran, but she was determined to do it even if she had to run really slow. On one of those practice runs in the Banner Forest, she tripped over a root on the trail, wiping out her left knee in the process. The trip to the osteopath resulted in an x-ray showing the breakdown in her joints. Barbara was a little dismayed because, while she is in her fifties, she wanted to deny her body was aging. That was six events ago for Barbara and she is still determined to continue to participate - until she can't.

Barbara says, “with a little faith, a little hope and God's continued blessing, I will be able to be a warrior in the crusade against this debilitating and fatal disease for many more Jingle Bell Runs to come.” 

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

Katelyn Smith
Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis
Youth Honoree

Katelyn is a very active 7 year old girl from Silverdale, WA with a sunny disposition and a heart of gold. Katelyn is an animal lover, frozen yogurt connoisseur and a Girl Scout.

In June of 2018 after months of swelling, pain, fatigue, and rashes, Katelyn was diagnosed with juvenile psoriatic arthritis. Katelyn started weekly injections after her diagnosis to get the swelling in her hand under control. When that didn't work she received her first joint injections at Seattle Children's hospital in August of 2018. Regular appointments at Seattle Children's Hospital to visit her pediatric rheumatologist and weekly injections at home manage her disease. Katelyn also has regular check ups with her Opthomologist to check her eyes for uveitis which can be a complication with juvenile arthritis (JA). Despite her diagnosis of JA she continues to enjoy her favorite activities which are dance, gymnastics and adventures with her family in the outdoors.

Katelyn's parents, like many other parents, had not heard of JA before Katelyn was diagnosed. They reached out to the Arthritis Foundation for more information on this debilitating disease. Katelyn then received her complimentary JA Power Pack from the Arthritis Foundation and she learned about becoming a Champion of Yes. With her Champ Bear by her side Katelyn and her family assembled her team, Katelyns Candy Canes to participate in the Jingle Bell Run in Port Orchard, WA in 2018.

This year she's excited to grow her team, raise funds and spread awareness for the Arthritis Foundation as the 2019 Jingle Bell Run Port Orchard Youth Honoree.

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