800 Brave Weather to Raise $60,000 Snowy JIngle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis

Last year, Steve Vachon of White Lake’s particularly painful form of arthritis – ankylosing spondylitis – participated in the annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation.

This year, nothing could stop him.

He was joined by his wife, Liz, and daughters Ella, Claire and Rosalie, who enthusiastically rooted for their dad to cross the finish line at the annual walk, where nearly 800 people braved the season’s first wintery snowfall to participate in the event at the Birmingham Covington school in Bloomfield.

Bloomfield. More than $60,000 was raised by participating individuals and teams to support Arthritis Foundation programs, services and research that help people with arthritis.

Arthritis affects people of all ages and origins. 2.3 million Michigan residents have arthritis (31% of the population), including 10,300 children. The disease causes progressive deterioration of bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. People with arthritis often experience chronic pain and increasingly limited mobility. The underlying cause of arthritis is unknown and there is no cure.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is an annual running and walking event hosted by the Arthritis Foundation. This year’s family-friendly event featured a competitively timed 5K run/walk (with 10K option), kid’s “Snowman Shuffle” fun-run, and post-event party with awards for top finishers. Participants dressed in holiday-themed costumes and tied jingle bells to their shoes creating a festive, fun and healthy holiday event.

This year’s honoree was Zach Fradkin (Dearborn); a five-year old who was diagnosed at 18 months old with juvenile arthritis.

“I’d really like to raise awareness, that kids get arthritis too, as weird as it may seem,” said Zach’s dad, Andy Fradkin. “There really isn’t the amount of research into it that other diseases have.” The Fradkin family’s team, “Walkin’ for Weej,” raised more than $12,000 – the most of any participating team.

The event’s Medical Chair was Dr. Bernard Rubin, Division Head of Rheumatology, Henry Ford Health System.

“I became involved in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis to help raise awareness about arthritic diseases in the metropolitan Detroit area,” said Dr. Rubin. “I have been involved with the Arthritis Foundation for 30 years. It is a great organization that provides information and support services to thousands of patients and their families around the United States.