Mere's Miracles!

In a land far, far from Hotlanta....Fargo, North Dakota, the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run was held today and my dear friend Mrs. North Dakota International 2008, Ang Smith and her family got up at the crack of dawn, faced the torrential wind to help raise money for the 46 million people in the US with arthritis and I'm honored that they named their team "Mere's Miracles!" Their poor fingers and toes were frozen from the chilling temps but like true fighters, made it all 3.1 miles and it only took them 42 minutes despite the wind. At the end of the walk they were greeted by a great band playing Christmas carols, hot soup, rolls and of all things, ice cream...yes ice cream! The Fargo walk had 472 runners and raised $38,000 with Microsoft matching all the money earned. WOO HOO!!! THANKS ANG! You are an awesome sister queen and have a heart of GOLD!

46 Million Reasons to Inspire!

There are few therapies approved for children with juvenile arthritis and 10% to 20% do not respond to available medications. The "Faces of Arthritis" event took place on December 2nd to INSPIRE to cure by supporting the 200 to 300 researchers supported annually by the Arthritis Foundation. We watched a moving video of people living with arthritis and heard from two special people who fight arthritis everyday. My friend, Aimee Busquet (her story is on my blog in the archives) who shared her very touching story of how caregivers play an integral part in aiding those who suffer from the disease and how each time those hospital doors close to the operating room, her family is there to greet her when she comes out. It's the caregivers who give so much and anyone who cares for a loved one with any ailment knows how special this role is to the family. We also heard from a brave young boy named Zachary Jamison. He is my hero! He is 11 years old and holds his head high despite the daily adversities of arthritis, his story was to touching there wasn't a dry eye in the room! To Aimee and Zach, you are very special and thank you for being such an incredible inspiration to us all!

Reach Beyond RA Video Now Live!

(click on the graphic above and then click on the "travel" button to download video)

Reach Beyond RA is an informative and easy to navigate Web site sponsored by UCB to help people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis to manage our daily routines like traveling, eating, exercising, social living and work! Through the great folks at UCB, I was able to be a part of a world wide video to offer everyday solutions to help with arthritis. My segment focuses on how to take the stress out of traveling! These days, I think we all can get a little help there! Just click on the graphic above and then click on the "travel" button to view the video. Other video segments have been featured at the UCB national sales convention in San Francisco this past fall and more to come in 2009. If you know of someone suffering from arthritis, please pass this link onto them. Everyday tips like these can help in a small way to managing the disease for more than 46 million Americans.

My First National TV Commercial!

America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses - This commercial currently runs on TBS and The CW Television Network...there are three versions that air on different stations nationwide. It was an exciting experience to see how we transformed into cartoons and bobble heads!

A Time for Thanks!

(Click twice on article to read)

A time for thanks....

Chronicles 29:11-13 "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."

Juvenile Arthritis Family Education Day

Juvenile Arthritis Family Education Day was held at the Arthritis Foundation national office on Saturday, November 1st, 2008 that welcomed newly diagnosed children and their families living with one of the many forms of juvenile arthritis. This event was so special because it was very touching to meet so many kids with arthritis, being in the children's event that afternoon was so humbling to see each child SMILE and laugh, which was the most amazing experience! I shared my personal juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) story with them and also performed a ventriloquist routine with my friend "Suzy Q," who sang some fun tunes for the kids to laugh and clap with! The day was filled with educational sessions for parents discussing subjects regarding pharmaceuticals, pediatric rheumatology and The Eyes and Juvenile Arthritis: Uveitis and Iritis. Heartfelt thanks go out to Patty Rech, Coordinator of Juvenile Arthritis Initiatives and all the awesome Arthritis Foundation and AOII volunteers for making this day a special one for all the kids!

Healthy Start for the New Year

Proud to partner with Kroger to promote healthier living with arthritis and also being heart smart for the upcoming holidays and New Year! Kroger Magazine will be featuring women with unique health challenges and how each mange them. Stay tuned for the holiday issue celebrating New Year's resolutions! Here are photos from the session with the Associated Press photographer where I made guilt-free blueberry pancakes and worked some yoga moves. Our spunky yorkie, "Rocky" got to be in on the fun too! Be well and stay healthy!

Guilt-Free Blueberry Pancakes (High Protein)

Feel free to add vanilla protein powder for even more protein. This batch equals one healthy serving, which is 15 grams of protein and only 145 calories!
1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats
3 egg whites
1 tbsp Cottage Cheese, fat free
1 dash of Cinnamon
1/2 of Fresh Blueberries

Arthritis Health Monitor Cover Story

I am very honored and grateful to be featured as the October/November cover story for Arthritis Health Monitor. Thank you to my hubby Matt for taking the cover photo!
(Click on article to read)

Arthritis Foundation Crystal Ball

Arthritis Foundation Crystal Ball 2008!

The Georgia Chapter of The Arthritis Foundation hosted the 27th annual Crystal Ball on October 18 at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead. For the first time in its history, the Crystal Ball is proud to recognize a corporate partner for its support of the Arthritis Foundation. The 2008 Crystal Ball has chosen to honor Delta Air Lines for its expansive partnership and commitment to the Arthritis Foundation. The Arthritis Foundation is also celebrating its 60th anniversary!

Proceeds from the event will be used to support arthritis research, programs and advocacy efforts. This year, The Arthritis Foundation is also focusing on raising awareness and funds for juvenile arthritis initiatives, including Camp Joint Venture, a free 3-day camp created specifically for children living with arthritis in Georgia. On this very enchanted evening, the Arthritis Foundation honored and thanked the many volunteers, Matt and I were honored to be volunteers for the event, we had a wonderful evening!

Mere's Miracles!

Bells will be ringing this holiday season as thousands of runners and walkers hit the nation’s pavements, pathways and parks this winter to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. My dearest friend Angela Smith, Mrs. North Dakota International will be one of those people, tying jingle bells to her shoelaces to participate in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis, a 5K fun run/walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation! Her team is called "Mere's Miracles" in honor of my quest to help those who suffer everyday from this disease. Thank you so much Ang and your girls!

And YOU can help, too! 'Tis the season for giving! Won't you sponsor Mere's Miracles to help raise funds to fight arthritis? Arthritis affects more than 46 million Americans, including 300,000 children, costing the U.S economy over $128 billion annually. The Arthritis Foundation needs our help. Please visit Mere's Miracles Web page to join the team or make a secure, online contribution to help raise the needed funds for the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to prevent, control and cure arthritis.

Jingle, Jingle, Jingle … A little change makes a lot of cents!

Shapes of Success

Success is such an awesome word. I want to share a great Web site with you all that celebrates success of all forms and shapes. whether its a sporting success, a family success, a business success, completing a list of 'Things to do that you've been putting off forever' or going on a diet and actually losing weight. No matter what, it was an achievement – You can do it! Submit your story or someone you know, let's celebrate it! Check it out out here...

Arthritis Foundation Young Professionals Board

Today was the first meeting for the Arthritis Foundation Young Professionals Board, Georgia Chapter. The mission of the group is to raise awareness of the impact of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases in young adults and provide a social network of strength and support while raising funds, educating the public and promoting advocacy.

The meeting featured a presentation by Dr. Kelly Weselman, Rheumatologist who discussed the latest treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.

We are looking forward to bringing more events and programs together in 2009 to help those who are "young professionals" in Georgia a place to network, educate and have fun with others who share the common thread of arthritis.

Global Arthritis Video Production

This evening I had the great opportunity to be a part of a worldwide video production for Belgium-based, Union Chimique Belge (UCB). UCB is truly passionate about enabling families with severe diseases to enjoy normal, everyday lives through connecting patients, people and science to make radical breakthroughs with biologics. UCB has partnered with the Arthritis Foundation bringing hope to those of us with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) with new a treatment to rapidly reduce the rate of progression of joint damage and to improve measurements of patients' physical function.

As a spokesperson for the Arthritis Foundation, I shared my personal story with RA in great detail so that those who view the video worldwide such as patients, scientists and rheumatologists will get a first hand account of the day to day triumphs and struggles living with this disease. This opportunity is very humbling as it will reach millions who have arthritis and countless professionals who are working on a cure.

It was a great experience, with two hours of free flowing conversational questions and discussion about my life with arthritis and tips and advice on how to manage the disease for those who are newly diagnosed. Thanks to the Barrington Media crew for doing an excellent job today and making the interview process fun. I am very grateful to all the professionals with UCB who dedicate their lives to finding a cure for arthritis, THANK YOU for all you do. I'll keep ya'll posted on when the video is up and live for all to see!

Northside Woman Magazine Cover Story

Check out Northside Woman Magazine - Cover Story "The Beauty Queen Next Door"

Also check out "Pageant Secrets from a Beauty Queen" here!


All photos by Matt Boyd Photography www.mattboyd.tv

Atlanta Social Season Magazine

Featured in the Summer issue of Atlanta Social Season Magazine, this publication highlights the social and charitable fundraisers across Atlanta.

Judging Little Miss Atlanta Pageant

Saturday was a fun morning at the Little Miss Atlanta Pageant at the Doubletree Hotel in Roswell. I served as a judge for the event, congrats to my friend Amy Mixon for winning the community service award from the Miss Atlanta board, she deserves it for all the hard work she puts into this fundraiser, all proceeds go toward the Miss Atlanta Scholarship Program, a preliminary for Miss Georgia America.

Meredith Boyd of Matt Boyd Photography

Bone Bash!

What an incredible honor to be the emcee for the Arthritis Foundation's Bone Bash in Atlanta at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia Hotel. It was a costumed affair of spooky creatures, ghosts and goblins, dreadfully silent auctions, witches brew, bone shaking tunes, games and themed contests! The affair was generously sponsored by UCB - the next generation biopharma leader that is making radical breakthroughs with severe diseases like arthritis. This event was a wonderful demonstration on how chapters across the nation of the Arthritis Foundation can take a fun event to be a successful fundraiser for arthritis education, research and outreach programs.


Matt and I are blessed to have been asked to become board members of the Arthritis Foundation Young Professionals group! Thank you to all my friends at the Arthritis Foundation who support my passion and continue to bestow such amazing opportunities to help continue the fight against arthritis.

With a new friend, Aimee Busquet - she is the chairwoman of the Arthritis Foundation's Young Professionals Board. I truly admire her tenacity to keep "dancing through life!" Thank you for inviting us to join your board - we are HONORED and look forward to helping make a difference in the lives of others with arthritis!
Meeting Ms. Wheelchair America 2005, Juliette Rizzo! What an amazing and beautiful young woman. She believes that community participation is more than having a physical presence but is also about finding your identity through your involvement in and personal contribution to community life, she's very involved as a member of the Arthritis Foundation.

With my co-emcee for the evening - David Schneider of UCB (aka Mr. UCB!)

With the New Jersey Arthritis Foundation chapter - they represented the New Jersey Turnpike! I have gotten so lost and turnaround on that turnpike - but now I have a GPS :0)

"Let's Move Together" a nationwide movement to help the millions of people who suffer from the pain of arthritis: http://www.arthritis.org/lets-move-together-main.php

With the anti-inflammatories!

With Michael Jackson and his "thriller" friends...