Kristie D'Angelo
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Adult Honoree

Kristie woke up June 2020 with a sore knee and joked that she’d be “one of those old people with arthritis.” She rapidly developed multiple swollen joints bringing chronic pain, stiffness, fatigue, and fear.

Kristie’s pain made it so she couldn’t get out of bed by herself. She showered sitting, rested before driving to work, rested in her office midday, and took naps at home. The fatigue and pain controlled Kristie’s life.

Rapid onset was terrifying but gave Kristie the opportunity for rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Kristie is passionate about all those who experience the pitfalls of this chronic illness.

Support Kristie on her personal fundraising page.   

Orianna Bender
RF Negative Polyarticular Junior Idiopathic Arthritis
Youth Honoree

Orianna is 10 years old! In January 2020, Orianna found herself with an injury from playing in the snow.

Orianna was diagnosed with RF Negative Polyarticular Junior Idiopathic Arthritis. With MRI's and a new regiment of medicine life changed in a positive way very quickly for Orianna. If she continues to respond positively, she will be considered in remission in the next year and a half.

Orianna spends her days being homeschooled, riding her horse, and doing ballet. She strongly believes in the Arthritis Foundation and hopes to help continue to raise awareness of childhood arthritis.