Josie Cannady
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Youth Honoree
 Josie is a 7-year-old, 2nd grader diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at the age of 4. Throughout treatment, surgery, and multiple urgent care visits Josie never once let arthritis slow her down.
Despite her diagnosis she continued to participate in competitive dance. Josie has an extremely high pain tolerance as she rarely complains even on days you could tell she has discomfort. On days of her injections she is an absolute trooper, sometimes even reminding her mom that her shot was due.
She has been inspirational to watch and handles her diagnosis with grace and maturity. Her mom, dad and big sister couldn’t be more proud! Thanks to her amazing rheumatologist Dr. Van Mater and Josie’s remarkable fortitude she is dominating her juvenile idiopathic arthritis!
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Dr. David Berkoff is a professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and adjunct professor in Exercise and Sport Science at UNC. Dr Berkoff completed a 4-year emergency medicine residency at Jacobi Montefiore Hospitals in the Bronx followed by a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Duke University. In addition to being a clinician and researcher, he is Vice Chair of Clinical Operations and Co-Director of the Sports Medicine Institute. Dr. Berkoff is currently chair of the USA Lacrosse Sport Science and Safety Committee. In his clinical practice Dr. Berkoff was an early adopter of ultrasound into his orthopaedic. He has vast experience in a large variety of MSK US procedures as well as ortho-biologics and other minimally invasive procedures.
Ally was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) when she was 15 years old. One day she was healthy and playing in her final high school volleyball match of the season. The next day, she couldn’t get out of bed. Her knees, ankles and elbow were swollen for weeks until she was finally diagnosed with arthritis and she was able to start her pain management plan right away with the help of her rheumatologists and nurses at Duke Children’s Hospital. She has been on this journey now for almost 13 years. With the support of family, friends, doctors and fellow arthritis patients, she is not battling this autoimmune disease alone!
Tess Perkinson is a sophomore at Cary Academy and was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis when she was six years old. She had arthritis in her wrist, knees, and ankles. Shortly after being diagnosed, she found out about the Arthritis Foundation and wanted to be a part of our mission. Tess has been in remission for a couple years and continues her involvement with the Foundation to spread awareness. She has also served as Teen Honoree for the Walk to Cure Arthritis Triangle and is honored to serve as Teen Honoree for the 2024 Jingle Bell Run Raleigh.