“People think of arthritis as an old person’s disease. But there are more than 300,000 children afflicted with some form of autoimmune disease. It is also the leading cause of disability in veterans.”

— Arthritis advocate Garret Golubin

It is the leading cause of disability in the United States, with more than 53 million Americans being affected by some form of arthritis. Still in his 20s, Garrett Golubin became one of those statistics when he was diagnosed with spondyloarthritis earlier this year.

“I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that caused a form of arthritis called spondyloarthritis throughout my body,” said the Alexandria resident. “In addition to other debilitating symptoms, it left me disabled for many months.”

A biologic therapy called Humira and other medicines help Golubin control the disease and as he regained his strength, he wanted to do more.

“I became involved with the Arthritis Foundation to help all of those in similar and worse conditions who don’t have a voice and are in need of a better future,” said Golubin, who along with his mother Cindy acted as chair of the 2015 5K Jingle Bell Walk/Run for Metropolitan D.C. “TTR Sotheby’s sponsored our group and was a general sponsor of the event.”

Held Dec. 4 in Pentagon Row, the event raised more than $96,000 from over 1,000 participants.

“People think of arthritis as an old person’s disease,” Golubin said. “But there are more than 300,000 children in the United States afflicted with some form of autoimmune disease. It is also the leading cause of disability in veterans.”

According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 400 children are diagnosed with juvenile arthritis in the Metropolitan D.C. area each year. The disease affects children of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds and at this time, there is no cure.

“Most Americans are unaware of the extent of this disease,” Golubin said. “Through events like the Jingle Bell 5K, I want to continue to raise awareness and funds to help veterans and particularly our children prevent, control and ultimately one day cure arthritis.”

For more information, visit www.arthritis.org.