Winstead Student Joins Fight Against Arthritis

Published May 8, 2008

At an age when most children are care-free, third grade student Armando Lomeli is dealing with an issue that no child should ever face.  Last year, he was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, or JRA.  The Winstead student is among the approximately 50,000 children in the United States with JRA, which can cause swollen and painful joints. 

But rather than complain about the condition, Lomeli is fighting back.  For the past several weeks, he has been collecting money through his own personal fundraiser.  On May 5, Lomeli took the money he raised and donated it to the Tennessee Arthritis Foundation.  In addition to the check presentation, Winstead Elementary School Nurse Jill Casada spoke with Armando's classmates and explained the symptoms of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.