KARDed, Kids Aware of Rheumatoid Diseases and educated

I designed and implement a year round program called KARDed, Kids Aware of Rheumatoid Diseases and educated. The program is designed to create awareness of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) while in the process raise funds for The Arthritis Foundation. KARDed not only educates people about JRA but promotes volunteerism for students from elementary school to university age. It is my mission to educate my peers, create awareness and promote community service involvement. From personal experience, I found JRA is a mystery to kids, adults, and even doctors. I have made it my mission to create awareness of JRA. My activity impacts others by creating awareness, understanding the magnitude of the disease and motivating others to become involved. My activities give people the opportunity to ask questions regarding JRA and raise money to find a cure. Through speaking engagements, and annual fundraisers that take place twice a year, KARDed continues to grow and impact others. KARDed also has a team at the annual Arthritis Walk in Nashville. In 2006 we won the Largest Youth Team Award and in 2007 we won the Top Civic Team Award. KARDed also has corporate sponsors including Vanderbilt Medical Center, Starbucks, Walmart, and Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance. KARDed continues to create awareness and raise funds to help stop diminishing the hopes and dreams of the over 300,000 kids who suffer from arthritis.