Giving Hope to Young Patients at Children's Hospital

March 12, 2010

Kids Day: Giving Hope to Young Patients at Children's HospitalMonday, March

08, 2010

(video viewable on website)

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- For Kids Day Tuesday, social networking will play a

big role in the annual fundraiser. But just like in years past, thousands of

volunteers will be out on street corners, selling special editions of the

Fresno Bee.

A 5-year-old Clovis girl will be among them: Her mission? To bring support

to the hospital that's helping her manage her aches and pains.

She's the fastest 5-year-old on a Barbie bike, Alyssa Dalleske loves showing

off her pedal power. But when she was just 2-years-old, her parents noticed

their tiny entertainer was missing a step or two. It had nothing to do with

her dancing ability. Alyssa started walking with a limp and she'd wake up

stiff and swollen.

She started avoiding playing outside with her friends playing inside the

house she just wanted to sit and watch TV; she became very addicted to TV.

Dr. Dowain at Children's Hospital delivered a stunning diagnosis:

Alyssa had juvenile arthritis.

Dr. says the condition causing inflammation of the joints is actually

common, affecting 1 in 1,000 children. But it's different than the kind

associated with older adults.

Dr. Dowain said, " There's elderly arthritis which is wear and tear

osteoarthritis, but inflammatory arthritis like adult rheumatoid arthritis

and childhood arthritis is not wear and tear it's a mistake in the immune

system an attack on the joints and it can happen at any age. "

Every few months, Alyssa gets a checkup with Dr. , who is just one of

300 pediatric rheumatologists in the United State.

While there is no cure, treatment with anti-inflammatories and the drug

called methotrexate is helping. Alyssa continues to dance and recently

scored her first soccer goal.

The kindergartener is also the head cheerleader for Kids Day, a poster child

for the hospital's big fundraiser.

A grateful little girl who knows she can't go wrong, with Dr. !

You can help the hospital that's investing in your kids. Buy a special

edition of the Fresno Bee for just a dollar.

Or you can make a $5.00 donation anytime by texting the word " GEORGE " to

90999.

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