Young Ambassador To Lead Danbury Arthritis Walk

DANBURY — Zachary Ziperstein of Sandy Hook has been named the 2011 Danbury Arthritis Walk Ambassador.

Along with his family and friends , Zachary will lead the Annual Arthritis Walk on Sunday, May 15, at the O’Neill Center, on the westside campus of Western Connecticut State University.

Zachary, who has been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, calls on the greater Danbury community to join him in supporting the Arthritis Foundation in its efforts to prevent, control, and cure the more than 100 different types of arthritis and related diseases.

Zachary, 8, is a sensitive, caring, and happy kid, even though he sometimes lives with constant pain. He has polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which affects multiple joints in his foot, ankle, and knee. He was diagnosed when he was 2½ years old.

Over the past 5½ years, Zach has had many injections and infusions. Some of the medications have worked for awhile, and some not at all.  This year will be his sixth Danbury Arthritis Walk.  Zach is, in so many ways, just like every other 8-year-old boy: he loves riding his bike, swimming, and playing video games.

The Arthritis Walk is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual nationwide signature event that raises funds and awareness to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. The Walk kicks off in May during National Arthritis Month in more than 250 communities nationwide to fund arthritis research, health education, and government advocacy initiatives.

Participants walk in honor of a friend or family member with arthritis. People with arthritis wear blue hats to signify their action in taking control of their condition. The event features a three-mile and one-mile course, with arthritis information and activities for the entire family. Zachary’s Zoomers is one of six teams already registered for the Danbury event. There are teams accepting members of the public, and space is available for additional teams to join the effort. 

Registration for the May 15 event will open at 9 am, and the walk will start at 10.

To read Zachary’s complete story, donate to his team, or register to participate, visit DanburyAW.kintera.org. Additional information is also available from Luellen Perkins at 860-761-0053 or lperkins@arthritis.org.