Can Awareness Events Make a Difference? In My Experience of the Walk to Cure Arthritis, Yes

While I live with arthritis year-round, Arthritis Awareness Month is a time to bring attention to the condition. This is my experience of the Walk to Cure Arthritis during this time.

On May 18, 2024, the Pittsburgh community in Pennsylvania came together for a powerful cause at the Walk to Cure Arthritis.

Nearly 400 walkers and 47 teams united at the event to raise awareness and funds for arthritis research and patient support.

The atmosphere was electric, filled with hope and determination as participants took to the walking route downtown, each step echoing their collective fight against arthritis.

The Walk to Cure Arthritis events happen at numerous locations throughout the year.

I was this year’s Adult Honoree for the Pittsburgh Walk to Cure Arthritis. It so happened that the event fell in May during Arthritis Awareness Month, bringing even greater meaning to the event for me.

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The impact of walks

Lara Daly, Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia Arthritis Foundation, highlighted the significant impact of the funds raised.

“Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States. In Pennsylvania, 29% of the adult population lives with doctor-diagnosed arthritis,” she stated.

“The monies raised through Walk to Cure Arthritis fund research to find new treatments and help us continue providing patient resources like summer camp and scholarships to kids with juvenile arthritis, free informative webinars, our Helpline, and more.”

There are over 300,000 children and young people living with juvenile arthritis across the USA.

According to Daly, the Pittsburgh Walk to Cure Arthritis 2024 has raised $86,456 toward its goal of $95,000 so far, a testament to the community’s dedication and generosity.

Not only raising funds and awareness, the Walk to Cure Arthritis has so many other impacts and meanings.

Personal stories of strength

The Walk to Cure Arthritis and other awareness events present a chance to learn about personal stories.

Talking with and learning from others inspires me to live well with arthritis every day. Living with arthritis can be very tough, but events like this remind me why I should continue fighting.

Among the many arthritis stories at the walk was my own.

My journey with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) began in elementary school, and I have since become an advocate, writer, and PR consultant. In my speech at the event, I expressed my gratitude and shared my philosophy of living a positive life despite chronic illness.

I spoke candidly about the challenges of living with RA and other medical conditions while emphasizing that these conditions do not define me.

I explained that I focus on what I can do instead of what I cannot, and what I still have instead of what arthritis has taken from me. This helps me to keep perspective about who I am outside of my health situation. This mindset wouldn’t be possible without the support of my loved ones.

I also highlighted the importance of community and the therapeutic power of music and writing. This is why I chose to name my team at the walk Arthritis Ashley’s RA Rockstars. This referred to the strength, diversity, emotion, and resilience that both music and my journey with arthritis embody.

Since the Walk to Cure Arthritis slogan is “rock the walk,” it seemed appropriate given my love of music. Plus, it was a great opportunity for everyone to rock band tees, concert merch, neon headbands, and temporary glittery face tattoos!

We’re all superheroes and rockstars in my book, even if we might have to march — or limp — to the beat of a different drum than some of our peers.

Messages of hope and finding glimmers

While the event was all about arthritis, my message to the crowd was to remind people that they are far more than their diagnosis.

From my perspective, arthritis (while difficult and sometimes debilitating) is just one facet of your vibrant, interesting, and unique identity — it’s not all that you are.

There’s still so much richness and joy in life, and we all still have so much to offer, beyond any pain or illness. There are so many good times to be had, memories to make, places to see, and songs to hear.

My evergreen call to action is for everyone to embrace life and their passions, regardless of their health challenges or disabilities.

I’m not just a patient. I’m someone who actively seeks out the beautiful parts of life despite RA. I like to call them my glimmers.

For me, those joyful glimmers are found in music, nature, travel, fashion, writing, and animals.

Awareness events, like the Walk to Cure Arthritis, have the power to help find these glimmers. When I connect with other people living with arthritis, I find new joy.

Support and solidarity

Jeanine McGuire, a long-time advocate and co-chair of the event, also shared her inspiring journey with the arthritis community.

Diagnosed with RA at the age of 14, Jeanine has spent the last 23 years building a support system for herself and others.

“I am very involved within the Arthritis Foundation and the arthritis community,” she said. “As someone living with rheumatoid arthritis since age 14, I wanted to build a larger support system for myself. In the process, I saw the benefits and became inspired to help others build theirs too.”

Jeanine emphasized the importance of staying active physically and mentally to manage chronic illness. “The walk has been an amazing opportunity to connect with Arthritis Warriors and their support teams directly.”

Continuing, she explained: “There are days with limitations, but my hope is to encourage others to take care and to keep moving forward. I always say, there is nothing I am more passionate about than my own incurable disease.”

Awareness events not only capture individual stories, but a whole community of support and solidarity.

Honoring legacies

This year’s event was particularly special with the presence of Neil Walker, former Major League Baseball player and current Pittsburgh Pirates announcer.

Neil attended in honor of his late father, Tom Walker, who was posthumously recognized for his dedication to the Arthritis Foundation.

“My dad did passionate work for the Arthritis Foundation. He started working with the local Pittsburgh chapter back in 2014 and held various leadership roles within the organization,” Neil shared.

“He connected with everyone at the Walk to Cure Arthritis, especially the kids with Juvenile Arthritis. Everyone enjoyed meeting him and was inspired by him, which is why we are continuing his legacy in working with the Arthritis Foundation.”

Always moving forward together

The Pittsburgh Walk to Cure Arthritis 2024 was a resounding success, thanks to the efforts of dedicated participants, generous donors, and tireless advocates.

The presence of Arthritis Foundation CEO Steven Taylor and local heroes like Laurie Mathie, MD, the Medical Honoree, and Aurora Martz, the Juvenile Arthritis Youth Honoree, added to the significance of the event.

Together, the “Steel City” demonstrated that while arthritis is a challenging and often invisible battle, it can be faced with resilience, support, and hope.

If you’d like to, you can still contribute to this crucial cause. Donations can be made to support ongoing research and patient resources.

Events during Arthritis Awareness Month and beyond

The Arthritis Foundation hosts its signature Walk to Cure Arthritis and other events throughout the year.

These events help spread awareness, highlight the realities of living with arthritis and related diseases, and raise funds for advocacy and research toward a cure. But more than this, they remind me of the spirit of the arthritis community. Awareness events remind me that I’m not alone.

The journey continues. With each step, arthritis communities and warriors nationwide move closer to finding a cure and ensuring a better future for all who live and thrive with arthritis.