    Click on the names below for more info Now aged four, Arabella Wallwork has suffered from arthritis since she was just 18 months old but she is still up for a challenge! Caitlin Thackray is aged five and her arthritis was triggered by a viral infection when she was only two years old. After years of painful struggle, Elice Corner's life was turned around when she started taking etanercept, one of the new anti-TNF therapies developed by arc scientists. Oliver Hankinson was only four when he developed arthritis; suffering so much pain and swelling in his left knee that he could barely walk. Now five, Honor Byrne from Dumbarton has had arthritis since she was about 16 months old. Although she still occasionally needs to use her pram, medication and physiotherapy mean that Honor is making good progress. |
  Caitlin was diagnosed at two years of age with childhood arthritis which affects many joints in the body. Her arthritis was triggered by a viral infection. Her mum and dad noticed she was limping, which steadily got worse over a couple of months. The little girl was also shuffling on her bottom rather than walking. Then one morning she could not get out of bed, and they realised something was seriously wrong. After her condition was diagnosed she was put on medication straight away which effectively kept the arthritis under control. She was soon out of bed and able to walk again, and is now doing well. Caitlin together with her family and friends from the Leeds’ Irish community centre has raised a fantastic £30,000 for our research!  |
