La Arthritis Foundation rinde homenaje a los ganadores del Premio nacional al voluntario en la conferencia Pathways

ATLANTA (March 30, 2026) — Nearly 400 arthritis patients, advocates, caregivers and health care professionals gathered for the Arthritis Foundation’s Pathways Conference, sponsored by CVS Specialty, Keenova and ZetrOZ. Pathways is the Foundation’s largest annual volunteer conference, a place for passionate, dedicated volunteers to connect with each other, with experts and with Arthritis Foundation leaders — to rally and strategize next steps in the effort to conquer arthritis. El evento también reconoce a las personas que se esfuerzan al máximo por apoyar a la comunidad afectada por la artritis.  

Los ganadores del premio Champion han recorrido un largo camino 

The Arthritis Foundation's Champion Award is given to individual volunteers or volunteer groups. Estos voluntarios lideran los esfuerzos de recaudación de fondos, crean asociaciones y defienden las actividades relacionadas con la artritis en sus comunidades.  

Patrick Edgar of New York, Anne McKinnon of Colorado and Gina Schell, DO, of Florida received Arthritis Foundation 2025-2026 Champion Awards. 

Patrick Edgar, New York 

Patrick Edgar is a transformational leader, dedicated volunteer and steadfast advocate whose impact on the Arthritis Foundation spans more than two decades. As a member of the local leadership board in New York City and corporate chair of the Westchester Jingle Bell Run (2024-26), Pat has consistently mobilized others, built strategic partnerships and led high-performing fundraising efforts that advance our mission and create lasting change for families living with arthritis.  

Pat's journey with the Arthritis Foundation began in the early 2000s when his daughter was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. What started as a search for resources and support quickly evolved into a lifelong commitment to service. Together with his wife, Dawn, and their four children, Pat has built a legacy of leadership, empathy and action - transforming personal experience into meaningful impact for countless families.  

A top national Jingle Bell Run team fundraiser, Pat has helped lead multiple nationally recognized teams — and was honored, alongside his family, at the 2023 New York City Commitment to a Cure Gala, where they raised more than $100,000 to support our mission. He has also been a driving force behind the Westchester Jingle Bell Run, guiding the event to record-breaking success as corporate chair and expanding its reach through new corporate partnerships and community engagement.  

To families navigating a new juvenile arthritis diagnosis, Pat and Dawn are trusted mentors and compassionate guides. To the Arthritis Foundation, Pat is a leader, advocate, JA dad and true champion of the mission. His impact is enduring, far-reaching and deeply felt across the community he serves.  

Anne McKinnon, Colorado 

As a member of the Colorado local leadership board and chair of the 2025 Jingle Bell Run Colorado, Anne McKinnon has made a remarkable impact locally and nationally through her strategic leadership, generous spirit and unwavering commitment to families living with arthritis.  

Anne’s journey with the Arthritis Foundation is deeply personal. The day after her sister-in-law, Laura Jean, passed away following more than 40 years of living with rheumatoid arthritis, Anne set out for a reflective walk through her neighborhood. She unexpectedly came upon the local Walk to Cure Arthritis taking place in a nearby park. What felt like a meaningful sign became a turning point. That day, Anne connected with volunteers, learned more about the mission and committed herself to honoring Laura Jean’s life through action.  

 Soon after, she founded Team LJ, named in Laura Jean's memory. What began as a tribute has grown into one of the top Jingle Bell Run teams in the country, consistently ranking among national leaders in peer-to-peer fundraising and engagement. Since 2022, Anne has personally raised more than $38,000 through Jingle Bell Run alone, including securing a transformational $10,000 gift in 2025 that opened the door to deeper donor engagement and expanded community partnerships.  

 As Jingle Bell Run chair, Anne leads with both heart and strategy; she mentors fellow volunteers, shares best practices and elevates event performance across the Colorado market. Her collaborative approach has strengthened volunteer confidence, deepened mission connection and driven sustainable growth. Beyond Jingle Bell Run, Anne actively supports Walk to Cure Arthritis, Arthritis Golf Classic and Party of the Stars, consistently opening doors to new audiences and influential partners to expand the Arthritis Foundation's reach.  

Gina Schell, DO, Florida 

Gina Schell, DO, is a physician leader, advocate and dedicated volunteer, whose personal experience with autoimmune disease has inspired nearly a decade of service to the Arthritis Foundation. Based in Tampa, she served as board chair of the local leadership board from 2021 to 2025. She joined the national board in 2026.  

Diagnosed with lupus while practicing with BayCare Health System, Dr. Schell faced the difficult decision to step away from clinical medicine. She now serves as a medical director with WellMed, part of Optum, continuing her commitment to improving patient care. Several years after her own diagnosis, her daughter, Sophia, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Supporting her daughter while managing her own chronic illness gave Dr. Schell unique insight into the realities families face every day.  

 Channeling that experience into action, she founded the Jingle Bell Run team, Sophia's Sleigh Schells, which has raised more than $35,000 over eight years. Her involvement has spanned the local JA committee, national JA Family Summit committee and Jingle Bell Run committee, and she currently serves as Soirée by the Bay event chair and JA Family Summit co-chair with her husband, David.  

 As the local leadership board chair, Dr. Schell has enhanced board engagement, cultivated strategic partnerships and strengthened volunteer and sponsor involvement. She helped launch Soirée by the Bay in 2023, leading the inaugural event to surpass its goal and raise nearly $80,000. In 2025, both Soirée by the Bay and the Tampa Jingle Bell Run achieved their fundraising goals under her leadership.  

Alongside her husband and daughter, Dr. Schell exemplifies resilience, compassion and purposeful leadership. Together, the Schells are true champions of the mission, fostering connection, awareness and hope, especially for families impacted by arthritis.  

The Arthritis Foundation also presented its highest national volunteer award, the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service, the Lee C. Howley Senior and Junior Prizes for Research and the Pamela Massey Patient Partners Award during the Pathways Conference.