Izzy Lanuza runs for the first time since her diagnosis of juvenile arthritis during Arthritis Camp this summer.On Nov. 30, 2015, Signal Mountain resident Izzy Lanuza’s life changed forever. On that day, she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory joint disease occurring before age 16. A few months before, in July, she had a swollen finger that never went back to normal, and by September, she needed a knee scooter just to get around, said Jessi Lanuza, Izzy’s mother.
Juvenile arthritis is one of the most common childhood diseases in the country, affecting almost 300,000 children, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Jessi Lanuza said that among those children who do have juvenile arthritis, for most the onset is much earlier than 13, Izzy’s age of diagnosis. While the condition has no defined cause, she said it’s believed to be genetic.
For the Lanuzas, the Arthritis Foundation has served as an invaluable resource as they continue on their journey of learning to cope with the disease. To give back to the organization that has been such a source of strength, they are hosting an event called Movie on the Lawn featuring a showing of “Night at the Museum.”
The event benefis the Arthritis Foundation and is being held at McCoy Farm & Gardens on Saturday, Oct. 15. Gates will open at 5:45 p.m. The movie will begin at 7:15.
“They have been awesome in supporting us and helping us understand this disease,” said Jessi Lanuza, as to why it is important to her to raise money for the foundation. “I just want to give back to this foundation, because without the support they’ve given to our family, we would not be as far along in her treatment process, in how our family’s coping with it and how Izzy’s coping with it.”
She said the Arthritis Foundation camp Izzy attended this summer in Nashville, where she met and connected with other kids with juvenile arthritis, was a real turn-around in her daughter’s life. And the whole family attended the foundation’s conference in Arizona, which included classes for parents on topics such as nutrition.
“That’s been very big for us,” said Jessi Lanuza. “We’ve changed a lot of the way we’re eating now.”
The event at McCoy is Izzy’s way of making this disease – something out of her control – into something she can control and which will do good for others in her situation, Jessi Lanuza said.
She said they have achieved their goal of getting enough sponsors to cover the cost of the movie screen and location rental so that all funds collected that night can go to the foundation.
While all Gold and Silver sponsorship opportunities have been filled, three Bronze sponsorships were still available as of press time. A Bronze sponsorship costs $75 and gets the purchaser an advertisement shown on screen during the 20 minutes prior to the movie.
The deadline to become a sponsor is Monday, Oct. 10, and anyone interested should contact Jessi Lanuza at 404-516-3777 or jessilanuza@gmail.com.
The cost to attend the screening is $5 per person, with a maximum of $20 a family. Only cash will be accepted. Izzy’s goal is to raise $1,000, all of which will go to the foundation, said Jessi Lanuza.
McCoy Farm & Gardens is at 1715 Anderson Pike. For more information, visit Jessi Lanuza’s blog at teamizzy.wordpress.com, or the event page at facebook.com/events/1696017020721754.
Email Emily Crisman at timesfreepress.com.