For a young teenager enjoying an active lifestyle, there is little room for joint pain. Sports and vigorous activities are a top priority for many teens, but what if these fun activities were hindered by pain, making it difficult, even painful to move around?

Jeff King always loved participating in physically demanding sports including snowboarding and hockey, but his struggle with joint pain nearly discouraged him from continuing such activities. “I would have trouble getting up off the ice or snow.” Little did he know, his pain was a result of inflamed joints due to arthritis. He was diagnosed with Poly-arthritis in May 2009 after experiencing pain in his knees for many years.

Overcoming the disease was not easy, “It was a very difficult time, especially having to tell friends I couldn’t do anything because I was so sore and sick.” He points to watching younger children battle arthritis as his biggest inspiration. “I witnessed children younger than myself getting much harsher treatments, and saw firsthand the bravery and strength of these kids,” said Jeff. “It fueled my motivation to get through this, keep a positive attitude and stay strong.”

Jeff is now proud to be the Juvenile Walk Ambassador for the Central MA Arthritis Walk scheduled for September 9th . The walk will begin at Bancroft School in Worcester. Jeff’s battle with arthritis has motivated him not only to beat the disease by returning to a normal life, but also to help others do the same. As a recent graduate of Shrewsbury High School, Jeff will attend the University of New Hampshire in the fall and plans to major in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences in hopes of becoming a researcher to cure diseases such as his own.

The Central Massachusetts Arthritis Walk is a yearly event, spreading the Arthritis Foundation’s public health message of the importance of regular physical activity in preventing and managing arthritis, while also raising awareness for the millions of people living with arthritis. “This is the first time I am participating in the Arthritis Walk and I’m very excited to be the ambassador this year,” said King.

The Arthritis Walk will take place at the Bancroft School in Worcester from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. The event will begin with a 1 to 3 mile walk, and participants are invited to join in a celebration with entertainment and food afterwards. The event will also include a health fair, exhibit booths, and children’s activities. To find out how you can join Jeff in his fight against arthritis, participate in the Arthritis Walk, or raise funds to support walkers, contact Margaret Farmer at the Arthritis Foundation of New England, 617-219-8228 or by email at mfarmer@arthritis.org.

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the impact of arthritis, which strikes one in every five adults and 300,000 children, and is the nation’s leading cause of disability. To conquer this painful, debilitating and unacceptable disease, they support education, research, advocacy, and other vital programs and services.