Kelsey Pykkonen
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Youth Honoree  

Kelsey was diagnosed with oligoarthritis juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at the age of six. After four months of complaints about her sore wrist and several visits to the pediatrician and the wrist specialist, they were referred to see a pediatric rheumatologist at Masonic Children’s Hospital. Almost instantly Kelsey’s doctor was able to determine that she had JIA. Although they were saddened and overwhelmed by the diagnosis, it was a relief to finally know what was wrong.

It has been four years of highs and lows, but the one thing that is consistent is the support of her medical team and the reassurance she receives by interacting with other kids with JIA at events like Walk to Cure Juvenile Arthritis.

Kelsey will no let JIA stand in the way of doing the things she enjoys the most.