Tina Roth, 12, of Butler will be an honoree at the 28th annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5K fundraiser next month.

Tina was diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was 7.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, “Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints such as hands, feet, wrists and knees.”

“One in 250 children have some form of arthritis, and in my small school of around 250, I am that one person,” Tina said. She attends Butler Catholic School.

Tracy Roth, Tina's mother and a physical therapist assistant, first noticed symptoms while Tina was taking gymnastic lessons. “I noticed that she didn't have full range of motion in her wrists,” Tracy said.

With the help of friends in the health industry, Tracy was able to have Tina diagnosed early.

Tina has taken many medications since then. Sometimes she would need up to two shots a week to help combat her arthritis.

The medications fight the inflammation and aid her immune system which is affected by the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, and there is currently no cure. It is also chronic, meaning it will last for Tina's entire life. Symptoms may come and go.

Tina had been in remission for 11 months, until the pain returned in May. This time Tina has a different mindset.

“She understands what she is dealing with now,” Tracy said.

Although the pain can be a lot to deal with, it has not stopped Tina from living an active life. She participates in many sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball and dance.

“The activity helps to keep her joints limber,” Tracy said.

Tina has taken up cross-country running this year, as well, which will help her in the Jingle Bell walk/run. Tina will be running to help raise awareness of arthritis.

“I have not let this disease stop my desire for activities,” Tina said.

The Jingle Bell is a nationwide event held by the Arthritis Foundation to raise money to help pay for research.

“Most of the money raised for the event comes from participant registrations and from donors who want to help find the cause and cure,” said Kristina Waltman of the Arthritis Foundation.

Tina had been asked to be an honoree for the walk/run when she was first diagnosed, but the information was still new to the Roths.

Tina was asked again for this year's run/walk after representatives from the foundation saw her at a charity event.

Waltman said more than 3,000 people will participate in the walk/run. It has added more than 500 participants since 2011.

Those interested in running can register as part of a team or as individuals.

The event will be Dec. 8 on Pittsburgh's North Shore. The foundation has set a local goal of raising $110,859, and has collected $70,962 so far.

Nationally the Arthritis Foundation has been able to raise more than $4 million to help with research.

<B>WHAT: </B>Arthritis Foundation's 28th Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5K<B>WHEN: </B>Dec. 8; Event starts at 10 a.m.; day-of registration and festivities begin at 7:30 a.m.<B>WHERE: </B>Pittsburgh's North Shore Drive on the Great Lawn across from Heinz Field<B>INFO: </B>Visit www.jinglebellrunpittsburgh.kintera.org