“Most Americans are unaware of the extent of this disease.” — Arthritis advocate Garrett 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 two years ago.

“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.”

As he learned more about the disease, the Alexandria resident became an advocate for awareness and is once again raising funds for the Arthritis Foundation through the upcoming Jingle Bell Walk/Run 5K to be held Dec. 3 in Pentagon City.

“Last year’s event was the best event on record for the foundation in the DC Metro area,” Golubin said. “We raised over $100,000 and had over 1,000 participants. These numbers doubled those of the previous year. Our goal this year is to raise $110,000.”

Golubin was recently named board chairman of the fundraising leadership committee in the DC Metro region while his sister, Courtney Golubin, is serving as corporate chair for this year’s Jingle Bell Run. Parents Greg and Cindy Golubin and The Golubin Group of TTR Sotheby's International Realty are corporate sponsors of the event and are again fielding the Golubin Group United Against Arthritis team.

“I became involved with the Arthritis Foundation to help those in similar and worse conditions who don’t have a voice and are in need of a better future,” said Golubin, who was presented with the Energizer Award at the foundation’s national convention in Denver earlier this month.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, over 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.

“These are diseases that have severe impacts on those involved,” Golubin said. “There can be severe comorbidity with symptoms like blindness and organ damage that can lead to death. But 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 or to participate in the 5K, visit www.arthritis.org.