Arthritis Foundation Seeks Community Support Across the St. Louis Region

Living with arthritis often feels like an uphill, isolated fight, but local leaders are making sure nobody across the Gateway City has to navigate chronic pain on their own. The Arthritis Foundation is rallying volunteers, corporate sponsors, and families across the St. Louis region to back critical patient support networks, youth camps, and clinical advocacy. From support circles in local neighborhoods to signature community walks, the effort is about turning shared challenges into collective strength.

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Overview: The Arthritis Foundation is calling for expanded community support across the greater St. Louis metropolitan area to fund specialized patient programs, educational workshops, and medical research. Through peer-led Live Yes! Connect Groups, youth-focused resources, and grassroots fundraising events, the regional chapter connects thousands of local residents living with chronic joint disease to clinical guidance, financial planning help, and community care.

Volunteers and participants gathering for Arthritis Foundation St. Louis support and community outreach
Community members gather across the St. Louis area to champion local arthritis research, patient resources, and peer network groups. Image credit Miguel A Amutio.

Local chapter mobilizes community resources, volunteer networks, and fundraising initiatives to support adults and kids battling chronic joint pain


For the millions of Americans living with arthritis, support often extends far beyond medical care.
Through events, volunteer opportunities, family programs, and community outreach, the Arthritis
Foundation works to ensure individuals and families affected by arthritis have access to resources,
connections, and hope.

In the St. Louis area, local leaders are inviting residents to play an active role in that mission.
“We’d love to connect more people in the St. Louis area with ways to support adults and children
living with arthritis,” said Leah Levin, Development Manager for the Central West Region, which
includes Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.

The organization offers a variety of opportunities for individuals, families, civic groups, faith-based
organizations, and corporate teams to support the arthritis community year-round.

Jingle Bell Run
  • Among the most anticipated events is the annual Jingle Bell Run, scheduled for December
    19, 2026, at Steel Shop Athletics in St. Charles. The family-friendly event brings together
    participants of all ages to raise awareness and funds for arthritis research, advocacy, and
    support programs. Volunteers are needed to assist with event setup, registration, activities,
    participant support, and cleanup. Individual volunteers and groups are encouraged to
    participate.
  • Community members can also get involved with the Walk to Cure Arthritis, set for May 1,
    2027, at St. Louis Community College-Meramec. Organizers are currently recruiting
    members to serve on the event’s planning committee. Volunteers may help with community
    outreach, team recruitment, securing local support, and coordinating event-day activities.
    Additional volunteer opportunities will be available as the event approaches.
  • The Walk features the Pinwheel Tradition: On-site, participants choose a pinwheel
    representing their personal connection to arthritis and raise it as a symbol of shared
    progress and purpose.
  • Ways to Participate: You can register as an individual, start or join a team, or sign up
    to volunteer through the Arthritis Events Registration Page.
  • Another key event on the Foundation’s calendar is the annual Bone Bash Gala St. Louis,
    held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at The Moto Museum in St. Louis. The theme was “The
    Great Gatsby: A Night of Gatsby & Giving.” The event featured dinner, a live auction, award
    presentations, and entertainment.

The annual fundraising gala celebrates local Arthritis Warriors—including more than 5,700 children
living with arthritis and rheumatic conditions in Missouri—and raises money for research, advocacy, and support programs. The event featured local grand sponsors such as West County
Rheumatology and Premier Specialty Network, along with support from the Washington University
School of Medicine.

For those seeking a larger community leadership role, the Foundation offers volunteer leadership
opportunities, including serving on event committees, helping secure corporate sponsorships, or
potentially joining the Local Leadership Board. These volunteer positions offer a chance to help
shape local initiatives and expand the Foundation’s reach throughout the region.
Beyond major fundraising events, volunteers are needed year-round for community outreach
activities.

Key Year-Round Activities & Program

  • Live Yes! Connect Groups: Peer-led support and social groups that meet regularly (in-person or virtually via Zoom) to offer mutual encouragement, education, and coping strategies for adults living with all forms of arthritis, as well as parents of children with juvenile arthritis.
  • Community Outreach & Health Fairs: Local volunteers and Community Outreach Educators deliver educational presentations, dispel disease myths, and share resources at regional health fairs and community gatherings.
  • Educational Webinars: Ongoing virtual learning sessions covering topics such as joint care breakthroughs, managing symptoms, and nutrition/weight health (e.g., scheduled sessions on arthritis care myths and joint-friendly health).

These efforts include representing the Foundation at health fairs, distributing educational materials, and sharing information about programs and services available to people living with arthritis.

Volunteers may also help with local activities designed to connect children with juvenile arthritis and their families, building supportive relationships within the community.

Interested residents can learn more and register through the Foundation’s volunteer portal or contact the local office directly for additional information on current and upcoming opportunities.

According to Foundation leaders, every volunteer contribution strengthens support networks and improves the quality of life for individuals and families affected by arthritis.

For more information, contact Leah Levin, Development Manager for the Arthritis Foundation, at
314-377-5531 or llevin@arthritis.org.

#ArthritisFoundation #STLHealth #CommunitySupport

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