Heights Families, Friends Unite to Support Little Victoria

This Sunday nearly 90 family members and friends of young Victoria Vitelli of Hasbrouck Heights will participate in "The Unlock the Cure" Arthritis Walk at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck.

Victoria, a third grade student in was recently diagnosed with Systemic Onset Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA), which is the least common form of Juvenile Idiopathic which affects internal organs as well as joints.

About 300,000 children in the United States have a form of juvenile arthritis with only 10,000 having SJIA.

Victoria began experiencing symptoms as far back as last August. At first she was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis but this March she became very ill with daily spiking fevers and the diagnosis was adjusted to be SJIA.

Victoria missed a month of school and extracurricular activities due to this severe flare up. Her family says with the help and support of her Principal, Joseph Colangelo, the school nurse, Kimberly Kane, and her teacher, Vanessa Lutz, Victoria was able to keep up with her school work when she was up to it.

Although it was hard and upsetting for Victoria and her family to learn of the diagnosis of SJIA, it actually, according to the family, was a “blessing in disguise." 

With the new diagnosis, Victoria started a new treatment shortly thereafter which consists of daily injections. It has proven to be working very well and according to Dr. Kathleen Haines of  Pediatric Rheumatology at Hackensack UMC her blood work and physical exam were “fantastic” and showed much improvement.

She has since returned to school and all of her extracurricular activities and is very much looking forward to Sunday helping to raise awareness and funds to fight Arthritis, the nations’ leading cause of disability.

The team has raised more than $3,000 so far and every bit helps. To learn more about the walk or to support “Team Toria” go to www.bergenaw.kintera.org.

The Chic Charity Club of Hasbrouck Heights has supported “Team Toria” by not only donating printed tee shirts for all participants but also walking along side of Victoria. But it doesn’t stop there. The Chic Charity Club will also be donating a portion of the proceeds from their 3^rd Annual Ladies Night Out-Denim & Diamonds which will take place on June 6 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Homewood Suites by Hilton in East Rutherford.

Victoria and her parents are extremely thankful for the overwhelming amount of love and support they have experience over the last several months.

Victoria does have a long road ahead of her, but with the help of her doctors, and the love, support and prayers from her family, friends and community, Victoria and her parents know that she will beat this disease.

The event will include exhibits from unique vendors and other merchants as well as fabulous prizes, specialty drinks, food and music. This donation will be made in honor of Victoria.

Information submitted by the Chic Charity Club