Fultondale girl chosen as junior honoree for Arthritis Walk event
By Melanie Patterson
The North Jefferson News
A Fultondale family is searching for people to join in its fight against arthritis.
Steve and Kim Warren became intimately familiar with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) two years ago when their daughter Bailey, then 2, was diagnosed with the disease.
JRA is an autoimmune disease that can cause chronic inflammation of joints, possibly destroying them. It can also affect organs including the eyes, skin and heart lining, according to a press release from the Arthritis Foundation.
Last year, the Warrens formed a team called Bailey’s Buddies to walk in the Arthritis Foundation’s Arthritis Walk.
This year, the foundation chose Bailey as the 2009 Junior Honoree.
Bailey, now 4 years old, is doing much better than she was this time last year, according to Kim Warren.
“This year there is good news on Bailey,” said Warren.
A side effect of JRA is vision problems. Warren said her daughter’s eyes are currently clear, but she has had problems with them since her diagnosis.
The mother and child have had speaking engagements at Regions Bank, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and other locations to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation.
“We need team members and donations for the foundation,” said Warren. “We would also like to have companies or businesses sponsor us.”
The Perfect Look in Fultondale, where Kim and Bailey get their hair styled, is taking donations for the Arthritis Foundation.
The foundation works to continue improving arthritis and improving the lives of the 1.2 million Alabamians who have arthritis. There are 4,500 children in Alabama with arthritis, according to the foundation.
The Arthritis Walk is scheduled for May 2 at The Summit. The theme is Let’s Move Together.
The walk begins at 8:30 a.m. at The Summit on U.S. 280. Registration and activities open at 7:30 a.m.
To register or find information, visit www.LetsMoveTogether.org/.
To join Bailey’s Buddies or make a donation, visit http://thewarrens-baileysmama.blog
spot.com/ or call Kim Warren at 841-0519.