Ballardblog.com

Here is young hero living right in your backyard! Little Benjamin Meyer of Ballard has been chosen by the Arthritis Foundation as this year’s official honoree for Seattle 24^th Annual Jingle Bell Run & Walk. Last year, the Jingle Bell Run brought more than 12,000 people to Westlake Center decked in holiday gear and ready to raise money for Arthritis – the run has quickly become one of Seattle’s most cherished holiday events.

Benjamin was just three days shy of his first birthday when he started developing symptoms including fevers, rash and joint pain. Almost immediately he started using his joints less and after two weeks he could no longer walk. His parents, Paul and Merete took Benjamin to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Nearly 294,000 children under the age of 18 are affected by juvenile arthritis in the United States. Arthritis is no longer a disease limited to senior citizens and ageing baby boomers. This year, the Arthritis Foundation is putting special emphasis on research that will make new treatment options available for kids like Benjamin. The funding raised during this year’s Jingle Bell Run will be hugely important in those efforts.

If it wasn’t for the availability of new drugs, Benjamin wouldn’t be the walking, talking, smiling little boy that he is today.

The Jingle Bell Run is December 14th.
and you may directly give your support to Team Benjamin