Everyone's Opinion Newsletter

I am writing in response to Carol of Altoona and her say about volunteering. I really liked and agreed with your column. Being the Blair County Arthritis Walk Chairman this year, I find it hard to get committee members, volunteers, and teams for the walk.

I do have one complaint though. If the walk was for cancer or autism we would have thousands of walkers and donations. People do not realize arthritis is so severe. It has an age range of birth to death. I know so because my 3 year old daughter Martina was diagnosed at the age of 18 months with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. People say it is not life threatening or as severe as Autism, MD, C.P., MS, AD/HD and cancer. Well, little do you all know JRA is just as severe and so is adult arthritis. Martina takes two injections a week, one of which is Enbrel and the other is Methotrexate. If you know anything about drugs, Methotrexate is a Chemotherapy drug used to slow joint deterioration. It is not a glamorous drug nor is Enbrel! It sure isn't glamorous to receive injections twice a week for a child for the rest of her life. Top that, Autism! I am not bashing Autism, but I get so upset that Autism gets so much more awareness than Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Come on Blair County, pitch in and form some teams, the same as you do for the cancer walks. These are all life threatening and life changing diseases and they all deserve equal treatment and volunteerism. If you are interested in helping, forming teams, sponsoring or donating, please call the chairman at 693-2459 Tracey Maurer. The Walk is May 10, 2008 at the Curve Ball Park.

www.Blaircountyarthritiswalk.kintera.org

Tracey

Hollidaysburg, PA