Santa Margarita Catholic High School Senior Blair Kirkbaumer raised $1,420 for the Spondylitis Association of America after being inspired by her brother Ross who has ankylosing spondylitis.

"We are so grateful Blair has taken on this wonderful cause," SAA Executive Director Laurie Savage said when visiting the High School. "It's a great example of what one person can do."

From the ocregister.com: After years of battling the pain, countless unsuccessful visits to doctors and being told it was "just growing pains," Kirkbaumer is now living nearly pain free thanks to a doctor who found the correct diagnosis when he was in the eighth grade.

To read the story at the ocregister.com, click here.

To read the press release from Santa Margarita Catholic High School, click here.

There are several ways that volunteer fundraisers can get involved and help raise the funds that SAA needs to remain in the forefront of spondylitis research, treatment and advocacy. Whether you organize an event, benefit or sale, the proceeds from your efforts can help make the world a better place for the spondylitis community.

Together, SAA's members, donors and volunteers are ensuring that SAA will continue to provide programs and services until the day we help -- together -- to uncover the cure.

For more information about becoming a volunteer fundraiser for SAA, please contact Robin Kindrick at 800-777-8189 or by email at robin.kindrick@spondylitis.org.

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