Help Kevin Bell Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis

In January of 2012, 25 year-old Kevin Bell began noticing pain in his joints and increasing difficulty moving around. His joints began swelling and filling with fluid, and within two months he was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, complicated by Spondyloarthropathy.

Arthritis is a chronic auto-immune disease that for unknown reasons causes the joints to become inflamed and fill with fluid (a typical response to an infection or other threat) when there is no infection. While there is no known cure, there are treatments for RA. These treatments are ongoing and very expensive, especially for someone with no insurance coverage, like Kevin.

In cases with Spondyloarthropathy, the swelling is also in the vertebra, and Kevin has developed this unusual and very painful symptom.  Due to his increasing loss of mobility and the fact that he is still in a phase of discovery and diagnosis, Kevin is no longer able to work at either of his bartending positions at Pengilly\'s Saloon or Liquid Lounge.

Kevin is facing this disease with incredible bravery and optimism.  We would like to help support him with his mounting medical bills and the continuing tests and trial treatments, as he and his physicians try to understand the nature of his disease and how it is affecting him. We would also like to help him retain his independence and autonomy by assisting with cost-of-living expenses until his health and mobility are restored to a point he can go back to work and school.  It is his goal to continue his education working toward a career that will allow him to maintain that independence.

If you find yourself in a position to help Kevin achieve this goal, we gratefully thank you for your generosity."¨"¨

Sincerely,

The Family and Friends of Kevin Bell