What is the message?

There are some days when the job I have, and the work I do, becomes even more meaningful than the day before…

I try to talk with my mom every evening – she’s lives near Washington, D.C. and I usually only see her at the holiday’s. We almost lost her last year due to a serious infection and connecting with her has become a really important part of my day. She started seeing a rheumatologist late last year (after lots of nagging from me!) and has been getting what she feels to be good treatment, advice and support for her osteoarthritis. She’s got a pretty aggressive form of OA, so aggressive that other doctors she sees (cardiologist was the latest) question whether she really has OA or RA. She’s been tested for RA two different times, but each time it came back negative. She was pretty uncomfortable and worn out last night from just her regular, daily activities, and it made me think: what if she really DOES have RA, and we just don’t know it yet? The disease is so complicated and different for different people, is it possible that she’s received two false negatives? And if not, what other treatments are available for her OA so that she doesn’t have to deal with so much pain and fatigue? I’m comforted by and convinced that there are a lot of smart people out there conducting important research on how to prevent – control – and cure – arthritis.

There are a lot of people out there who aren’t aware of the impact of arthritis, the number of people affected, and the work that remains to be done. My job is to give them that message. Time to get back to work…

Fall is coming

Summer moving into fall – getting ready for all growing things to slow down. This does not pertain to us humans who are still growing, We need to keep moving our muscles and bones on a daily basis. Things at the Arthritis Foundation are continuing to grow with new programs and new opportunities to help all of us who have any tie to arthritis or any of its affects. I just built a storage shed, which will force me to look at all the items currently in the garage to see what really needs to be kept and what can be recycled. This will be a great project to complete before winter gets here. Keep focused on what is ahead and we will do the same at our office also.

Jingle Bells...

Come Jingle With Us this December as we host our annual Jingle Bell Run in Denver and Northern Colorado. The Jingle Bell Run is an annual traditional for many of our constituents and we hope that you’ll join us for this festive 5-k USA Track & Field certified running race and Bolder Boulder qualifier! We’ll be jingling first in Ft. Collins on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at CSU’s Oval Drive and in Denver the following weekend on Sunday,, December 13, 2009 in Denver’s Beautiful Washington Park! Register online for the Ft. Collins event or for the Denver event and begin fundraising today! Every dollar raised helps the Arthritis Foundation Rocky Mountain Chapter continue our work to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. Contact Tara Roesener, Director of Event Development for the Rocky Mountain Chapter with any questions, ideas or great fundraising stories!

Juvenile Arthritis Family Day Survey Results

This past weekend we hosted our 3rd Annual JA Family Day at National Jewish Hospital. We asked the kids what they thought of the day of events, and these were their responses:

1) Did you meet anyone new today?

Yes= 12 no=3 maybe=1



2) Did you learn anything new about arthritis?

yes=11 no=5

"it causes soreness"

"there are different types and different medicines"

"It's dangerous because it can make your ankle hurt and then you can fall down"

"Different kids get it"



3) Would you come again next year?

yes=14 maybe=2

"If it's OK with my mom and dad"



4) How can we make it better next year?

"Make the pool less hot"

"Have a different theme"

"Do more activities, more fun things"

"more crafts--just like this year"

"cake and ice cream"

"Have another theme. The future: robots and laser guns. The pointer would look like a laser gun, but really it

would be a pointer."

"Have music"

"More time in the pool."



Overall, a GREAT event. Can’t wait till next year!

Isabelle Stohler
Programs Manager, Rocky Mountain Chapter

Annual Meeting

The Arthritis Foundation, Rocky Mountain Chapter held its annual membership meeting on Tuesday, August 18. The theme for the evening was “Thanking our Communities.”
The evening started with a social reception and great hors d’voeures and refreshments. Dr. Leonard Dragone from National Jewish Hospital updated the audience of almost 100 with the latest research on arthritis. We added four new board members as well as welcomed the return of two board members for another three year term. Sixteen emeritus board members were inducted for a one year term.

Accolades were abundant for the service of our board members and support of our volunteers. The Dorothy Bigos award, our new award for recognition of outstanding achievement as an instructor in our Life Improvement Series, was presented to Karen Valdez. The Ludlow-Griffith Foundation received the Ruth Vincent Cunningham award, our highest honor for outstanding service given to the Arthritis Foundation by an individual, family or corporation.

It was good to see so many of our members and friends help celebrate the accomplishments of the last year and make plans for the future

Eileen Martin
Executive Adminstrative Assistant

Times…They are a Change’ in

We are in the midst of an interesting time (to put it modestly). The world is a buzz… but hasn’t it always been that way. There is instant camaraderie as we seek to support each other in our time of need. Many call this period of challenge “The Great Reset” or an opportunity to look at where we are as a community and how we can focus on the things that really matter most to us. This is the time to be most grateful for where we have been and to focus on what new directions we will go in the future. We all have needed to make changes in the way we operate and hopefully we will be better for it. The Arthritis Foundation has a sixty year record of moving forward and adapting in the midst of challenging times. Our mission has stayed consistent and we will continue to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis and related diseases. Please help us keep focused on our goal to touch the 1.3 million people in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana living with arthritis. No matter how our political, social, or economic times ebb and flow, there will be an increasing need to advocate for arthritis diseases and their effects on the well-being of people closest to us. If the Arthritis Foundation can be of assistance in any way, please let us know how we can help you and your family or friends. We would also like to connect with you about ways that you can make a difference in our organization. If you know of resources that can assist the Foundation, we welcome your support. Like the old adage states, “There is no better time than the present”. Together we can emerge stronger through our shared experiences.

Kickin' It Old School

Multiple studies have shown that exercise can decrease pain and increase range of motion and flexibility in individuals with arthritis. We at the Arthritis Foundation, Rocky Mountain Chapter are embracing that idea and running into left field with it, so to speak. On Saturday, October 10 at the City of Cuernavaca Park we are holding “Kickin’ It Old School,” a kickball tournament fundraiser.

Many of you may remember kickball from your recess days but it is making a comeback among 20- and 30-year-olds across the United States. With this tournament the Arthritis Foundation will not only be raising funds but focusing on raising awareness about our mission and the disease in a demographic that we, as an organization, often miss.

So, dust off those tennis shoes and join us for “Kickin’ It Old School.” You can sign up as team or individually by going to http://KickinItOldSchool.kintera.org/.