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Community Corner

Gibbs of Storrs Named Ambassador of Hartford Arthritis Walk

The Arthritis Foundation New England Region has named Wade Gibbs of Storrs, CT the Adult Ambassador for the 2014 Greater Hartford Walk to Cure Arthritis. As an ambassador, Wade will be helping the Greater Hartford Walk to Cure Arthritis reach its fundraising goal of $104,580.

Walk to Cure Arthritis is the Arthritis Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event, with local events hosted by approximately 115 cities nationwide.

Funds raised through the event support Arthritis Foundation programs, research and advocacy initiatives to help people live better today while finding a cure for the number one cause of disability in the United States tomorrow.

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Wade was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the very young age of 5 months.  This was a time when medical treatments for Arthritis were in their infancy, and many of the options used today were not available. 

As a result, the JRA affected joints throughout Wade’s body, resulting in the need for more than 10 surgeries including 5 joint replacements so far. 

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Despite this, he has a very wonderful life thanks to the support of family, friends, doctors, and many therapists.  Wade attended Camp Dartmouth-Hitchcock for 8 years and loved the friendships he made there. 

He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, School of Business, and is currently taking classes at UConn to pursue a Certificate of Financial Management. 

He has also been a full-time employee at UConn for almost 15 years.  Wade loves attending UConn sports, especially men’s and women’s basketball, and football. He can often be found traveling around the US and Europe.  He loves to stay active and keep moving as much as possible.

The Arthritis Foundation is working towards creating these success stories for the other one in five adults and 300,000 children in America that are struggling with arthritis. 

To learn more and register for the Greater Hartford Walk to Cure Arthritis, visit the event's website or contact Luellen Perkins at 860-563-1177 or Lperkins@arthritis.org. To learn more about the fight to cure arthritis, visit www.arthritiswalk.org

 

About the Arthritis Foundation

Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability.

The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the impact of this serious, painful and unacceptable disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest.

The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.

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