2025 Walk to Cure Arthritis Honorees Demonstrate the Power of Perseverance
Meet Jack, Kiana, Mary Jo and Siya.
APRIL 9, 2025 (ATLANTA) — In recognition of their remarkable arthritis journeys and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of other arthritis patients, four people have been named national honorees for the 2025 Arthritis Foundation Walk to Cure Arthritis. These individuals have demonstrated extraordinary strength and resilience in living with arthritis while inspiring and uplifting those who share similar challenges.
Each honoree’s personal journey embodies the spirit of overcoming adversity and the power of community. Their stories of perseverance and self-empowerment have transformed their own lives and have had a lasting positive impact on others facing the same health issues.
Jack, New Jersey
“Mommy, I want to do this because I want to let people know about this disease and how they can help.” Those are the words of Jack, age 6, speaking to his mother about being a national Walk to Cure Arthritis honoree.
Jack doesn’t know life without arthritis. At just 17 months old, he started having constant fevers and swelling in his joints, and he seemed to be in a lot of pain. When he stopped walking or wanting to be active, his parents knew something was very wrong. After numerous hospitalizations, many medical tests and a misdiagnosis, Jack was correctly diagnosed with the relatively rare systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). Today, he’s doing well on his current regimen of taking a biologic every other week and a weekly infusion to help support his fragile immune system.
Kiana, Wisconsin
Diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at age 3, Kiana, now 6, braves each challenge and treatment with strength, says her mom, Sheena.
Kiana doesn’t just have JIA. She also has asthma, which — along with her immunosuppressive medications — make her immune system even more complicated to manage.
As a national youth honoree for the Arthritis Foundation’s 2025 Walk to Cure Arthritis, Kiana and her family are determined to continue their work for the cause, which they began in their hometown.
“Sadly, we are not alone in this,” says Sheena. “Hundreds of thousands of other kids in the U.S. face similar struggles with autoimmune diseases. And like Kiana, they show immense courage every single day.”
Mary Jo, California
Mary Jo has been part of the Arthritis Foundation community for much of her life. She first noticed symptoms when she was 6 years old. After seeing a number of different doctors who diagnosed things like growing pains or tendinitis, Mary Jo was finally diagnosed with JIA at the age of 7. Despite painful flares, she was determined to participate in activities that defy the JIA odds, resulting in an opportunity to play Division 1 collegiate volleyball. Today, Mary Jo continues to raise the bar. She has ridden the 525-mile California Coast Classic Bike Tour, and she trains and competes in multiple sports as a hybrid athlete. She’s grateful to the Arthritis Foundation for providing resources and access to this community of remarkable and inspiring people. “Do it for those who can’t and lead the way for those who can,” she says.
Siya, Georgia
Eager to support other kids with juvenile arthritis (JA), like her, Siya is thrilled to be chosen as a national honoree for the Arthritis Foundation’s 2025 Walk to Cure Arthritis.
Her parents first noticed troubling signs, such as wanting to be carried instead of walking, when Siya was in preschool. Her diagnosis at age 4 shocked the family, and it brought relief to know the cause of their child’s painful elbows, knees, wrists and more.
Participating over the past three years in Atlanta’s Walk to Cure Arthritis, Siya, now 13, her parents and younger sister want to assure others going through similar challenges that they’re not alone. “It’s OK to feel alone at first,” Siya says. “Our feelings are real. And they help us understand this condition better.”
Siya loves to sketch, sculpt, write and sing. Science is her favorite subject in school. And she’s thinking about having a career in public relations because she enjoys being around people so much. Along the way, she’s determined to try to help other kids and families make the best of their challenges with JA.
“We are deeply proud to recognize Jack, Kiana, Mary Jo and Siya as this year’s national Walk to Cure Arthritis honorees,” said Steve Taylor, president and CEO. “Their courage, kindness, and dedication to others serve as an inspiration to the Arthritis Foundation community. We are excited to celebrate their achievements and the positive changes they continue to make in their communities and beyond.”
Each honoree’s personal journey embodies the spirit of overcoming adversity and the power of community. Their stories of perseverance and self-empowerment have transformed their own lives and have had a lasting positive impact on others facing the same health issues.
Jack, New Jersey
“Mommy, I want to do this because I want to let people know about this disease and how they can help.” Those are the words of Jack, age 6, speaking to his mother about being a national Walk to Cure Arthritis honoree.
Jack doesn’t know life without arthritis. At just 17 months old, he started having constant fevers and swelling in his joints, and he seemed to be in a lot of pain. When he stopped walking or wanting to be active, his parents knew something was very wrong. After numerous hospitalizations, many medical tests and a misdiagnosis, Jack was correctly diagnosed with the relatively rare systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). Today, he’s doing well on his current regimen of taking a biologic every other week and a weekly infusion to help support his fragile immune system.
Kiana, Wisconsin
Diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at age 3, Kiana, now 6, braves each challenge and treatment with strength, says her mom, Sheena.
Kiana doesn’t just have JIA. She also has asthma, which — along with her immunosuppressive medications — make her immune system even more complicated to manage.
As a national youth honoree for the Arthritis Foundation’s 2025 Walk to Cure Arthritis, Kiana and her family are determined to continue their work for the cause, which they began in their hometown.
“Sadly, we are not alone in this,” says Sheena. “Hundreds of thousands of other kids in the U.S. face similar struggles with autoimmune diseases. And like Kiana, they show immense courage every single day.”
Mary Jo, California
Mary Jo has been part of the Arthritis Foundation community for much of her life. She first noticed symptoms when she was 6 years old. After seeing a number of different doctors who diagnosed things like growing pains or tendinitis, Mary Jo was finally diagnosed with JIA at the age of 7. Despite painful flares, she was determined to participate in activities that defy the JIA odds, resulting in an opportunity to play Division 1 collegiate volleyball. Today, Mary Jo continues to raise the bar. She has ridden the 525-mile California Coast Classic Bike Tour, and she trains and competes in multiple sports as a hybrid athlete. She’s grateful to the Arthritis Foundation for providing resources and access to this community of remarkable and inspiring people. “Do it for those who can’t and lead the way for those who can,” she says.
Siya, Georgia
Eager to support other kids with juvenile arthritis (JA), like her, Siya is thrilled to be chosen as a national honoree for the Arthritis Foundation’s 2025 Walk to Cure Arthritis.
Her parents first noticed troubling signs, such as wanting to be carried instead of walking, when Siya was in preschool. Her diagnosis at age 4 shocked the family, and it brought relief to know the cause of their child’s painful elbows, knees, wrists and more.
Participating over the past three years in Atlanta’s Walk to Cure Arthritis, Siya, now 13, her parents and younger sister want to assure others going through similar challenges that they’re not alone. “It’s OK to feel alone at first,” Siya says. “Our feelings are real. And they help us understand this condition better.”
Siya loves to sketch, sculpt, write and sing. Science is her favorite subject in school. And she’s thinking about having a career in public relations because she enjoys being around people so much. Along the way, she’s determined to try to help other kids and families make the best of their challenges with JA.
“We are deeply proud to recognize Jack, Kiana, Mary Jo and Siya as this year’s national Walk to Cure Arthritis honorees,” said Steve Taylor, president and CEO. “Their courage, kindness, and dedication to others serve as an inspiration to the Arthritis Foundation community. We are excited to celebrate their achievements and the positive changes they continue to make in their communities and beyond.”
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