A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE
MAGIC MOUNTAIN ARTHRITIS WALK AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR HONOREES AND CELEBRITIES!
(We are still accepting donations to this site!)
Josh Rubenstein,
2013 Celebrity Co-Host |
Kellie Martin,
2013 Celebrity Co-Host |
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Allyson Absey,
Youth Honoree
 Allyson is 8 years old and in the 3rd grade. She was diagnosed with Spondyloarthropathy in April of 2011. She was also diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis after a routine eye exam where the doctor found a cataract in her right eye. The cataract was a result of a condition called Uveitis, which is caused by JRA.
Allyson was then referred to the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. In July of 2011, she underwent cataract surgery and her lens was removed. There is a cataract in her left eye, but with medication the doctors have been able to slow the progression.
Allyson loves gymnastics, rollerblading, and playing with her friends. She is a very outgoing, kind and generous person. Allyson has attended Camp Esperanza for the last 2 years and looks forward to camp 2013 to spend more time with children that have the same challenges she does.
Umesh T. Bhagia, M.D.
Orthopaedic Honoree
 Originally from Baroda, India, Umesh Bhagia, M.D. did his internship at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut and completed his residency in Orthopaedic surgery at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. In 2006 he completed a fellowship in Adult Reconstruction at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Bhagia is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Bhagia’s practice includes Adult Reconstruction of the hip, shoulder and knee, as well as general orthopaedics and surgical and non-surgical treatment of fractures He is well versed in the latest techniques including minimally invasive surgery, gender knee, hip resurfacing and computer navigation assisted surgery. Dr. Bhagia lives in the West Valley with his wife and daughter.
Wonil Lee, MD
Medical Honoree
 Dr. Wonil Lee completed his Internship and Residency in Medicine at Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was the Chief Resident from 1996 to 1997. He completed his Clinical Fellowship in Rheumatology at LAC-USC Medical Center in 1999. He completed the Research Fellowship in Rheumatology in 2000. Dr. Lee is dual Board Certified in Medicine and Rheumatology. He holds the position of Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Rheumatology at USC since 2000.
During his Fellowship, Dr. Lee received the Young Researcher Award from Joseph Drown Foundation and the Physician Scientist Development Award from the Arthritis Foundation. He was a member of the Medical and Scientific Committee and Patient Advocacy Committee at the Arthritis Foundation Southern California Chapter from 2004 to 2010.
Dr. Lee has been recognized by his peers to be at the top 5% of the physicians and appears in the prestigious Best Doctors of America, America’s Top Physicians and Super Doctors in Los Angeles list.
Dr. Lee was born in South Korea, but grew up in Santiago, Chile. He is fluent in Spanish and Korean. He is currently in private practice with Rheumatology Associates in North Hollywood, CA.
Cheryl Gray
Honorary Chair
 Cheryl Gray moved to Newhall in 1984 and in 1988 she began devoting much of her time to volunteerism. She began with the SCV Boys’ and Girls’ Club donating countless hours of service. Her dedication culminated in The Boys’ and Girls’ Club awarding her Volunteer of the Year in 2007.
Since 1998 Cheryl has been a member of the Zonta Club of SCV where she served on their Board for three years. She also served on the board of the American Heart Association and was awarded their President’s Award.
Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital has a special place in Cheryl’s heart. She has helped raise funds for their ER. She is a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and has volunteered for the Child and Family Center. She is currently on the Board of Circle of Hope and lends her time to the ALS Association.
Cheryl has been married to her wonderful husband Ralph since 1999 and between them they have her two daughters, his two sons and nine grandchildren.
Thank you for participating in the 2013 Arthritis Walk®, the signature fundraising event for the Arthritis Foundation. Every year, people across the country move together to celebrate those who are making a positive impact on the lives of people living with arthritis. More than just an event, Arthritis Walk® is a celebration of year-round movement. It is building awareness for this debilitating disease and raising necessary funds to drive arthritis research, education and life improvement programs; it also continues the Arthritis Foundation’s search to find a cure to the nation’s leading cause of disability. Our mission is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. When you join us at the Arthritis Walk®, you're not moving alone -- you are becoming part of a community looking to achieve better health and change lives at the same time. We look forward to seeing you at the Arthritis Walk!
The Arthritis Foundation, Pacific Region is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization | 
