The Ft. Worth Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis will bring the North Texas community together on Saturday, Dec. 6 to raise funds to fight and cure arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. The annual holiday-themed event will be held at Burnett Park, 501 W. 7th in downtown Ft. Worth. Activities begin at 2 p.m. with a festival, including contests for best costume, best dressed dog, and activities for the entire family. The 1 Mile Reindeer Run starts at 4:30 p.m., with the 5K starting at 5 p.m. Visit: www.fwjinglebellrun.org.
Voted as one of the nation’s “Most Incredible Themed Races,” the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is an important fundraising event helping to raise funds to help fight and end arthritis, which affects 53 million Americans, or roughly one in five adults. Contrary to popular belief, arthritis is not an “old person’s” disease. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis that affect people of all ages. In fact, two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65, including 300,000 children.
Here in Texas, the Arthritis Foundation works to improve the lives of the 3.9 million adults and 25,000 children across the state who struggle every day with this serious health epidemic.
One of those Texans is 7-year-old Harper Shook who will serve as the local Youth Hero for the Ft. Worth Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis at Burnett Park on Dec. 6. Harper and her family have formed a fundraising team for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk, and they will help kick off the festivities at the start line for the 5K event.
Harper currently suffers from psoriatic juvenile arthritis which caused significant swelling and prevented her from walking as a toddler. After being properly diagnosed and with the right medication, Harper took her first steps a week before her second birthday. Since then, Harper has developed uveitis in her left eye and still faces challenges of living arthritis every day with the ongoing support of her family and the Arthritis Foundation.
“When people think of arthritis, they automatically think minor aches and pains, which is far from the truth. Various forms of arthritis can seriously affect joints, muscles, internal organs, eyes, and also claims the lives of nearly 10,000 people each year. This is why the Ft. Worth Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is so important for this community to raise funds and fight to put an end to this serious disease,” said Annie Carter, Community Development Manager, Arthritis Foundation.
As the nation’s largest holiday race series, the Arthritis Foundation’s Ft. Worth Jingle Bell Run/Walk will offer participants a fun-filled day of festivities for runners, walkers, families and dog-lovers alike. Highlights will include timed and untimed registration, a certified 5K course, free food and beverage samples, musical entertainment provided by local favorite, Just in Tyme, face painting by Cowtown Clowns, and a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
To learn more about the Ft. Worth Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis or to register your team today, visit www.fwjinglebellrun.org.
There are also several volunteer opportunities at the Ft. Worth Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis. Volunteers may sign up to help at the day of the event: https://www.volunteersignup.org/P383B
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is the largest and most trusted nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the needs and challenges of those living with arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. Since 1948, the Foundation has remained committed to leading groundbreaking research for better treatments and a cure; fighting for patients’ access to affordable and effective health care; and providing trusted information and resources to the more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children living with the disease.