ACU-4 Walks for Arthritis

NORFOLK - Twenty-one Sailors from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4, along with more than 200 other supporters, participated in the 5th annual South Hampton Roads Arthritis Walk sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, Virginia Chapter, at Harbor Park, May 3.

ACU-4 was this year's top fundraising team, raising more than $2,000 for the Arthritis Foundation.

"I enjoy knowing the money we helped raise goes to research arthritis and help people living with arthritis," said Storekeeper 1st Class (AW) Cheryl Kurianowicz.

For Kurianowicz, helping the Arthritis Foundation earn money for their cause is nothing new, she became involved with the foundation three years ago when she participated in their Jingle Bell Run.

"I was totally impressed by the way they got their information out to the community and began to get very involved with trying to help them raise money," she said.

The walk is a nationwide event to raise awareness and funds to fight the nation's leading cause of disability.

Eleven-year-old Rachel Whitesitt, from Chesapeake, was the 2008 Arthritis Walk Hero. She was diagnosed with arthritis in her left wrist, right knee, left ankle and her eyes when she was two.

"Thanks to people like you for donating to the Arthritis Foundation, the medication I take right now really helps and I can do regular stuff that everyone can do," said Whitesitt.

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, non-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world. Their program complements government and industry-based research by focusing on training new investigators and pursuing innovative strategies for preventing, controlling and curing arthritis. The foundation has invested more than $380 million on research to support more than 2,200 scientists, physicians and health professionals involved in cutting-edge arthritis research.

"I am not sure if we will ever cure arthritis, but by being out here today we are raising awareness higher and trying to get more people involved. All we can do is take it one day at a time," said Senior Chief Operations Specialist (SW) George Clark. "This year we raised more than $2,000, and I would like to challenge any command out there to meet or beat us next year."

When it comes to arthritis research, every donation counts. The Arthritis Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for arthritis, but relies on supporters like ACU-4.