Arthritis Walk helps fund local programs
By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
Ariola Family photo
At 6 years old, Ryan Ariola was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that made it hard for him to be like other boys his age.
Ryan Ariola will be among the participants in the Pearlridge Arthritis Walk.
"It really limits how you move around because your joints are sore," said Ryan, now 10, of 'Aiea. "It's hard to do everyday things, like swimming or walking down the stairs, if it's really bad."
The Gus Webling Elementary School fifth-grader is one of more than 189,000 Hawai'i residents afflicted with arthritis. Now in remission, Ryan will also be one of dozens of participants Saturday at the Pearlridge Arthritis Walk.
"May is Arthritis Month, and that's one of the Arthritis Foundation's big things, doing the nationwide walks," said Rachel Ariola, Ryan's mother and volunteer chairwoman of the Pearlridge walk.
• Registration (OK to sign up on day of walk): 7:30-8:30 a.m.; begins 8:30 a.m. • May 8: Pearlridge Center, Uptown • May 15: Koko Marina Center • Free; 596-2900
The walks, including another scheduled for May 15 at Koko Marina Center, raise awareness and money to support arthritis research and local programs, such as the development of exercise programs and support groups, said Melissa Mayse, special-events coordinator with the Arthritis Foundation.
Arthritis Walk
In March, the Ariola family went to Washington, D.C., to speak with legislators about the more than 300,000 children in the United States afflicted with arthritis.
"Our major focus is for everyone to be aware that kids can also be affected," said Ariola, 40. "This could be something that happens to anybody."
Walk participants are encouraged to collect donations; each walker who collects $100 or more receives an official event T-shirt. Every participant receives a free breakfast. "We need the funding, and it's fun for the whole family," Ryan said.
Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.
