Community Gathers to Walk for the Cure

By: Karolyn Dang

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Arthritis Foundation

Photo Description:

Front row from left: WHS staff member Angela Adrian, Claudia Ortega, Eddi De La Cruz, Ricardo Ramirez with son Carlos Ramirez, Team Captain Joyce Murphy, Nina Torres, Tom Murphy, and Luis Torres. Back row from left: Bloomington High School Counselor Mr. James Wheelock, Miguel Escobedo, Ruby Zalapa, Jason Knapp, Raquel Talavera, Sabrina Solis, Sarah Solis, Sabrina Young, Vanessa Marquez, Anthony Torres, Patricia Saucedo, and WHS counselor Mr. Jesus Gonzalez.
Did you know that more than 53 million people, including 300,000 children, live with arthritis pain every day? The Walk to Cure Arthritis raises funds and awareness to fight against this daily battle that so many struggle with. Millions benefit from the research possible through donations made to the Arthritis Foundation. This year, the Walk to Cure Arthritis was held at the Anaheim stadium featuring a three-mile and one-mile course. Washington High School’s Success by Choice program came out to the 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis with Founder and Director, Nina Torres. This marks the 7th walk that Washington High School students have participated in. With members district-wide, over 20 walkers from WHS participated in the walk. Torres was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 18 and has been living with it for 23 years. In the span of 23 years, Torres has undergone 12 surgeries, replacing every joint from the waist down and has even had her hips, knees and ankles fused together. Usually, Nina Torres and the Walk for Mrs. Nina Team partakes in the walk in honor of her efforts to find a cure, but this was a special year for Nina. After 23 long years, Torres finally found a successful form of treatment called Xeljanz. She began treatment a little over 2 months ago and since then, her lab results have shown that her RA has gone from Severe RA to Mild RA. This year’s walk was in celebration of what Nina claims to be her cure. This year, Torres joined forces with Murphy’s Angels, led by captains, Tom and Joyce Murphy. Joyce has been living with RA since she was 39 years old. Alone, Torres raised $500 but the team total was over $30,000, earning them the #1 spot in team fundraisers. The Murphy’s also formed TEAM CODY in support of their 14-year-old son, who was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis this year. This was also Cody’s first walk. With over 20 walkers, Team Cody raised over $4,000. Next year, the Walk for Mrs. Nina Team will also be walking for Cody Murphy. The Walk to Cure Arthritis may only last one day, but the impact of donations will continue to help millions of people for years. The 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis raised over $430,000.