IgG4ward! at the Arthritis Foundation’s Commitment to a Cure Gala – Boston
A Night of Recognition, Community & Hope
On Friday, September 26, 2025 in Boston, members of the IgG4ward! Foundation team, several IgG4ward! Patient Ambassadors, IgG4-RD patients and their loved ones gathered for the Arthritis Foundation’s Commitment to a Cure Gala – a night dedicated to honoring leaders in arthritis care and uplifting the patient community.
What made this night especially meaningful was the presence of our community: ambassadors, patients, caregivers, friends and physicians coming together with the community of the Arthritis Foundation, to celebrate progress and possibility. It was a night of hugs, laughter and shared reflections—proof that at the heart of advocacy is connection and community.
Celebrating Dr. John Stone & Honoring a Legacy
This year, we were especially proud to celebrate Dr. John Stone as one of the 2025 Marian Ropes Awardees, a recognition of his decades of compassionate, patient-centered leadership in rheumatology and his unwavering commitment to improving care for people living with complex immune-mediated diseases. We also congratulate Dr. Ayesha Abdeen as the orthopedist receiving the Marian Ropes honor.
The evening was made even more meaningful when our Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement, Katharine Provencher, was invited to the stage to introduce and honor Dr. Stone. In a heartfelt moment, she spoke about the profound impact on patients, caregivers and families and with great pride, she presented him with the award on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation.
“What stands out is that he does not simply see the person in front of him as a ‘patient’. He sees the whole person – their fears, their hopes, their families – and he cares for them with a humanity that extends far beyond the disease.” – Katharine Provencher
The award Dr. Stone received carries a remarkable history
The Dr. Marian Ropes Physician’s Achievement Award for Patient Excellence is given to physicians who exemplify both outstanding scientific leadership and compassionate patient care.
Dr. Ropes herself was a pioneer in rheumatology, remembered not only for her groundbreaking research, but also for her dedication to the human side of medicine. This legacy is a perfect reflection of Dr. Stone’s own career: brilliant science, transformative care and a deep devotion to the lives of his patients and the broader patient community.
With Gratitude
Thank you to the Arthritis Foundation for hosting an inspiring evening, to the honorees for their service and dedication and to our community who attended the event full of support.
For IgG4ward!, the night was also a reminder of the momentum we are carrying 4ward. Coming with the energy from the PeachJAM, to this celebration in Boston and we now look ahead to the Tour de IgG4ward, and our first-ever CanJAM – each event is another opportunity to bring the IgG4-RD community together for connection, education and hope.
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