Days before my 31st birthday I received life-altering news: I have an incurable autoimmune disease. My immune system is attacking my joints and organs. The disease causes extreme exhaustion, brain fog, inflammation, stiff joints, muscle weakness, nodule growth, migraines... the list goes on, and those are just the symptoms of my disease. The side effects from the medication are awful too - nausea, loss of appetite, hair loss, mouth sores- just to name a few.

People with arthritis are warriors, boldly facing the pain, limitations, and challenges the disease causes. Challenges like getting properly diagnosed, multiple doctor’s visits and treatments, a maze of insurance procedures, missing work, and being unable to perform everyday tasks, or enjoy favorite hobbies and activities.

While medication can slow the progression of the disease and ease my symptoms, nothing can eliminate flares or cure my Rheumatoid Arthritis.

This is the reality of being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It’s not just achy joints. It’s a life sentence. There is no cure, just a bunch of super-invasive medications that try to put the disease in remission and reduce the permanent damage. If you know anything about me, you know I think that’s bullshit. 

Next September I’ll be riding my bike 525 miles down the California coastline from San Francisco to Los Angeles over 8 days to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. I ride to cure arthritis to improve the lives of arthritis warriors. This incredible event is the largest gathering of the arthritis community in the world, raising funds for resources and research, to find better treatments and a cure.

To make the ride, I need your help. 

Please donate toward my fundraising goal of $10,000. 

Together we can help the Arthritis Foundation conquer arthritis once and for all.

Thank you.

P.S. - Follow along my training and RA journey on Instagram at 

@bikewithra