On Sunday, May 7th, the Walk to Cure Arthritis will be held at the University of Saint Joseph.

The event, which is in its fifteenth year, is described by Luellen Perkins, Senior Development Director for the Arthritis Foundation, as “…an event for all of our arthritis heroes to come together and celebrate themselves, their families, and everything they go through every year living with arthritis.”

“There are 670,000 adults with diagnosed arthritis here in Connecticut and 3,400 children…” explained Perkins, “Arthritis is the number one disability in the United States, and it’s the second most chronic childhood disease behind asthma…”

This year, the Arthritis Foundation plans to raise $130,000. Any participant raising $100 or more will receive a coupon at registration, which can be exchanged for an official Walk to Cure Arthritis shirt.

University President, Walter Harrison, has been involved in the organization for four years, and will be serving as an Honorary Chair. With his upcoming retirement, the Arthritis Foundation has decided to honor him at this year’s walk.

“We really wanted to reach out to him to say ‘thank you’ for all of the support he’s given over the years to the Arthritis Foundation…” says Perkins, “We’re going to be honoring him during the opening ceremony… He’s been wonderful to us to help us spread what our journey is and to help us find a cure.”

Activities will include a Kid’s Zone, face painting, Poker on the Track, and a live touch tank with fish and turtles. Registration is free. In order to register, students can go to walktocurearthritis.org/hartford and register for the ‘Walt’s Walkers’ team.
The Walk will take place from 9:00 A.M. to noon. The opening ceremony will begin at 9:30, with the Walk kicking off at 10. Music will be provided by The Whale 102.9.

For more information, students can contact Luellen Perkins at or (860) 781-7775.