For one weekend in January, Parrot Heads from all over Florida and beyond will party with a purpose at an event which is called “Fruitcakes in the Alley” and benefits The Arthritis Foundation on behalf of Kids with Arthritis. SUNNY Across Central Florida host Jon Pavano speaks with Queen Parrot Head, Mary Libby and the Prince of Arthritis Tony Ward about the event and about the Arthritis Foundation.
“Fruitcakes in the Alley” – a bowling tournament organized by the Parrot Heads of Central Florida (PHCF) – was formed in 2008 as a two-day signature regional event and made an immediate impact raising over $10,000 in its first year, and $15,000 in its second year. Net proceeds benefit the Arthritis Foundation on behalf of Kids with Arthritis.
Arthritis affects 46 million people in the United States, including 300,000 children. The disease affects nearly one in three Central Floridians of all ages. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is the most common type of arthritis in children and is usually diagnosed between the ages of two and sixteen. It is an incurable autoimmune disease that can have a devastating, life-long impact on children, and in some cases, is life threatening. The causative agent of JRA is still unknown but research is ongoing to find the cause and to develop medications to treat and prevent this devastating disease.
