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2023 Jingle Bell Run Honorees

 

 

Ellis
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Youth Honoree


Ronnie, Carrie, and their son Ellis are a resilient and loving family. Carrie serves as a dedicated nurse practitioner in Electrophysiology at The Christ Hospital, while Ronnie’s passion lies in renovating houses. Their lives took a challenging turn when Ellis was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at just 3 years old. Despite the difficulties, they've persevered with the support of Dr. Huggins and the rheumatology department at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where Ellis is currently showing no signs of active disease on his medication regimen. The journey has been tough, but with persistence and the unwavering support of family and friends, they remain hopeful for better treatments and, ultimately, a cure, with the help of the Arthritis Foundation. Together, they tackle each day with love, strength, and hope for a brighter future.

 

 

Kevin Bonfield, MD
St. Elizabeth Physicians
Medical Honoree


Kevin Bonfield is currently a primary care and sports medicine physician with St. Elizabeth Physicians. He attended college at Northern Kentucky University, and while there ran cross country and track for the Norse. After college, he went on to obtain his medical degree and complete his residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Kentucky. Post residency he moved to Nashville, TN where he joined the Commodores for his Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship. While in the sports medicine office, he provides non-operative orthopedic care to patients of all ages and activity level. He enjoys hearing about the activities that make his patients' lives tick and is passionate about treating their acute and chronic conditions to get them back to what they enjoy doing most. 

 

 

Eric and Jessica Wellinghoff
Nehemiah Manufacturing
Corporate Chairs


Eric & Jessica Wellinghoff are proud to serve as this year’s Corporate Chairs for the Jingle Bell Run. Jessica serves on the Local Board of the Arthritis Foundation and chairs the Juvenile Arthritis Committee. She is married to Eric, and they have 3 young girls (11, 8, 6), and they love their community in the Village of Mariemont! They have been active advocates and fundraisers for the Arthritis Foundation since their daughter Grace was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis. Jessica is very active with the girls’ schools and busy schedules, in addition to her work with the Arthritis Foundation. Eric is the President of Nehemiah Manufacturing and has been with the company since 2015. Eric and Jessica encourage you to join the fundraising fight to find a cure for arthritis! 

 

Laura Blackorby
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Corporate Vice Chair


Laura has been battling rheumatoid arthritis for 30+ years. After suffering a lot early on in her diagnosis, Laura finally found a treatment plan that helped her regain life. Laura has always been active, but in 2013 began focusing her efforts on running. She is a marathon runner turned marathon race walker who chose to run her first marathon in 2015 to show the disease that it didn’t have control over her, but rather, she had control over it! Laura has since completed the Flying Pig, New York City, Chicago, and Berlin marathons. The Jingle Bell Run has always been an event near and dear to Laura, and to all her friends and family who join her team “Laura’s Belles” each year. Laura notes that without all the people in her life, she would not be here today standing strong, standing at all, without their constant support. When she race walked the Berlin Marathon, she put two temporary tattoos on her arm that represented her journey with rheumatoid arthritis and provided her motivation and support throughout the race. They read, “Actually, I can” and “I am the hero of this story”. 

 

Cameron Simoneau
Tri-State Running Company
Corporate Vice Chair


Cameron is owner of Tri-State Running Company.   There are three locations in the Cincinnati area:  Mariemont, Edgewood – KY, and Florence - KY.  Cameron moved to Cincinnati’s West End in 2005 after graduating from Rice University in Houston, TX with his MBA.  He met his wife Mary in a running group where they were both training for the Flying Pig Marathon.  Mary and Cameron have 4 children ranging from 4 to 11 years of age.  Three of his children attend the St. Gertrude School in Madeira while the youngest is still in preschool at Mariemont Community Church.  Cameron also coaches track and field for the St. Gertrude School.