More than 400 local and area residents are supporting the Arthritis Foundation's mission to conquer arthritis and help people battling the disease live a full life, by participating in the 2024 Walk to Cure Arthritis on April 26, 2024 at Conner Prairie in Fishers.

Walk to Cure Arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation's annual flagship fundraising event, celebrates arthritis warriors, their caregivers and everyone else who's part of the movement to conquer arthritis. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting research for better treatments and a cure, as well as offering tools and resources to help reduce chronic pain and improve people's lives.

Funds raised will be used to keep research, resources and services going strong for those battling arthritis. This year, the community will band together again to help support the 1.7 million Hoosiers living with arthritis.

"Arthritis is the No.1 cause of disability in the United States, affecting nearly 60 million Americans, including 300,000 children. Together, we can make a difference for these arthritis warriors," said Sandra Messner, Executive Director of the Indiana Arthritis Foundation office.

"For over seven decades, the Arthritis Foundation has been committed to conquering this disease through life-changing research and resources. We could not make the progress that we do if it were not for community members coming together to support and raise money for this worthy cause."

This year's honorees include:

• National Youth Honoree Cameron Miller: a 9th grader diagnosed with JA when he was just 6 years old.
• Youth Honoree William Villines: 6-years-old, from Evansville, Indiana has dealt with the effects of arthritis since age 4 and was formally diagnosed with polyarticular idiopathic juvenile arthritis at age 5.
• Teen Honoree Lilly Cooley: started showing signs of juvenile arthritis (JA) when she was 18 months old and was officially diagnosed at 3 years old.
• Adult Honoree Lisa Baker: diagnosed with Osteoarthritis 2 years ago after continually complaining of swelling, pain and immobility issues in her foot and ankle.
• Medical Honoree: Dr. Sue Ballinger from Riley Rheumatology
• Community Champion Honoree: Sierra Street, a med student at Marion University and high-impact volunteer for the Arthritis Foundation

In addition to our local honorees the following partners will be honored.

• Eli Lilly and Company Walk to Cure Arthritis Indiana's presenting sponsor
• Gold Sponsor Cumulus Media and Homemade Ice Cream and Bakery Cafe
• Silver Sponsor Hoosiers Work for
• And Bronze Sponsors Barnes and Thornburg, Amgen, Riley's Children at IU Health, Meijer Specialty Pharmacy, and Bosma Enterprises

Event highlights include: rides on a tethered helium balloon, an animal petting barn, free food, stress ball painting, face painting, an awards program, and Kid Kazooie's One-Man-Band.

Every step matters. Residents can register and begin fundraising for the Indy Walk to Cure Arthritis and learn more about the event by visiting walktocurearthritis.org/indy or contacting Idella Gates at 317-693-4700. To learn more about the fight to cure arthritis, visit www.walktocurearthritis.org.