With gratitude, AARDA President Virginia Ladd presented an award to actress Kellie Martin for her more than ten years of volunteer service to AARDA as its National Spokesperson. Topped by a shining puzzle piece, the crystal award carried the message: Making a Difference, Awarded to Kellie Martin, Thank you for 10 years of unwavering commitment to Solving the Puzzle of Autoimmunity through raising awareness of autoimmune diseases on all levels. The presentation was made during the recent UN NGO meeting on "The Global State of Autoimmunity Today," which was cosponsored by AARDA.

    During her years with AARDA, Kellie has represented AARDA at congressional briefings, visited legislators to convey the AARDA message, spoken at public and scientific meetings and various fund raisers, and brought the AARDA message to TV audiences wherever possible. In addition, she has generously donated hours to filming PSAs and granting media interviews on behalf of AARDA. Always, whenever her schedule allows, Kelly says, "Yes!" to AARDA invitations.

    "Solving the Puzzle" is very important to Kellie as she holds in memory the loss of sister Heather to a delayed-diagnosed autoimmune disease and looks to the future health of daughter Margaret Heather (Maggie).

    We in AARDA are proud to salute Kellie as an outstanding volunteer and a genuinely caring person.