Dylan Andrews, age 8 of Oxford, and Andy Moy, age 15 of Waterford, are fighting back against the disease that has them in pain. Both have juvenile psoriatic arthritis, a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation in their joints. It also affects their skin with raised, red, itchy plaques.
Many think of arthritis as aches and pains developed later in life, but there are nearly 300,000 children in the United States with arthritis. Dylan and Andy know all too well that their disease is serious, causing hospitalizations, taking medications with harsh side effects, and making life as a kid just plain difficult at times.
For Dylan, doing things like writing, coloring, participating in gym class, playing outside, and running with friends are sometimes hard for him because of the pain. Andy can relate. He’s been battling arthritis since age 5 and has experienced many of the same struggles.
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“Kids need to be kids!” said Renee Andrews, Dylan’s mother.
There is no cure for arthritis. That’s why the Andrews and Moy families are committed to raising funds for arthritis research, with Dylan and Andy leading the way. The boys are attacking their disease by hosting a Nerf War fundraiser.
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On Saturday, March 8, Dylan and Andy will take over Stars & Stripes Kids Activity Center in Clarkston for a fundraiser to benefit the Arthritis Foundation, Great Lakes Region and their Walk to Cure Arthritis teams.
“This is my fourth year hosting the Nerf War, and each year it gets better and better,” said Andy.
Participants need to bring their own Nerf blaster, orange-tipped (clip-style) darts, and protective eyewear. Stars & Stripes’ 12,500 square-foot gymnasium and mats provide the ultimate battlefield for safe and fun play.
The price for the event is $15 per person. Ages 4 to adult are welcome.
To register, call Stars & Stripes at 248-625-3547 or visit http://bit.ly/1eJMnLg, click on the *NEW* Special Events tab to view the calendar, and select the Nerf War event on March 8. The event has sold out in years past, so early registration is encouraged.
The money Dylan and Andy raise through the Nerf War will benefit their Walk to Cure Arthritis teams, Dylan’s Army and Roo’s Crew. The Detroit Walk to Cure Arthritis will be held on May 10 at the Detroit Zoo. Raising funds will allow the Arthritis Foundation to continue funding research and also ensure the success of Camp Dakota, a weeklong summer camp for Michigan children who have arthritis and related diseases. This summer will mark Andy’s ninth year attending Camp Dakota.
