Noblesville West student Collins Leming among honorees
More than 400 area residents are supporting the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to conquer arthritis – help people battling the disease live a full life – by participating in the 2023 Walk to Cure Arthritis on May 12 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,” said Sandra Messner, Executive Director of the Indiana Arthritis Foundation office. “Together, we can make a difference for these arthritis warriors. For over seven decades, the Arthritis Foundation has been committed to conquering this disease through life-changing research and resources. We couldn’t make the progress that we do if it weren’t for community members coming together to support and raise money for this important cause.”
This year’s honorees include:
- Youth Honoree Collins Leming: a 12-year-old seventh grader at Noblesville West Middle School who showed her first symptoms of arthritis in 2014 at 4 years old.
- Adult Honoree Sammi Weyrauch: an Arthritis Foundation volunteer who was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 26.
- Pediatric Nursing Honoree Carissa Likens: a Pediatric Rheumatology Nurse at Riley Hospital for Children who was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis when she was 10 years old.
- Community Champion Honoree Kelsey Fox: a high-impact volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation since 2019 who first got involved through work as a Rheumatology Specialty Representative at AbbVie.
In addition to local honorees the following partners will be honored:
- Eli Lilly and Company Walk to Cure Arthritis Indiana’s presenting sponsor
- Gold Sponsor: Cumulus Media
- Silver Sponsor: Anthem
- Bronze Sponsors: Meijer Specialty Pharmacy, Hancock Health, Bosma Enterprises, Amgen, and Humana
Event highlights include rides on a tethered helium balloon, an animal petting barn, free food, 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 Sandra Messner at (317) 939-6386.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As a Champion of Yes, it’s the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, and it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight for a cure – uniting hearts, minds and resources to change the future of arthritis. To join the fight to conquer arthritis, visit arthritis.org.