Lucas Cunnert, Long Beach, Named Youth Honoree "Walk To Cure Arthritis"

(Orange County, CA) – March 19, 2015 – The Arthritis Foundation, Pacific Region, has named Orange County’s Lucas Cunnert, 8, Long Beach, as Youth Honoree for the “Walk to Cure Arthritis”, to be held at Angel Stadium on Sunday, May 17, 2015.

Lucas Cunnert, 8 years old and in third grade at Florence Bixby Elementary School, was diagnosed with oligo juvenile arthritis when he was 5 years old. He couldn’t run and play, and was forced to watch his friends ride their bikes and scooters. Although he put on a happy face for everyone, he became sad and withdrawn. He didn’t want his friends to see him cry from the pain of juvenile arthritis, as he sat on the sidelines. Lucas couldn’t support his weight on his ankle, which required him to have a cast that inhibited his movement.

After diagnosis, the drugs used in Lucas’ treatment caused nausea, vomiting, weakness, sadness and confusion. Lucas takes 6 doses of medicines each day. He sees an Ophthalmologist and a behavioral specialist to help him deal with arthritis.

“I hope that through the “Walk to Cure Arthritis” a “face” is given to this disease,” says Lucas, “and that the public can realize that kids get arthritis, too!”

On days when Lucas feels better, he loves playing checkers, flying model helicopters with his dad, building cars and Legos, and going fishing. When he grows up, he wants to be a racecar driver and an engineer.

The Orange County “Walk To Cure Arthritis” will take place on Sunday, May 17th, at Angel Stadium, 2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, California. Participants can choose a one-mile or three-mile non-competitive course. Thousands of children and adults, along with their family and friends, will enjoy a day of fun and fitness while raising funds for a cure for arthritis. Participants will be able to walk on the field, see themselves on the Jumbotron, and enjoy a large Kids’ Zone and wonderful festival area. Registration opens at 7:00 a.m.; the Walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. Additional details are available on the website: www.ocwalktocurearthritis.org

The public is invited to “Walk To Cure Arthritis”, the Arthritis Foundation’s signature, national fundraising event to fight arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. Arthritis is a crippling disease that affects more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the nation.

“Here in Orange County there are nearly 1,000,000 people suffering with arthritis, including 3,000 children. The Walk To Cure Arthritis is a day that raises vital funds to fight this crippling disease and move our mission towards victory,” says Robin K. Dore, M.D., Board Chair, Arthritis Foundation.

Arthritis is costly, painful, and debilitating. The “Walk To Cure Arthritis” raises funds to help people today while finding a cure for tomorrow. For more information and to register for the 2015 “Walk To Cure Arthritis”, call (323) 954-5750 or visit: www.ocwalktocurearthritis.org