Buffalo Shows Up for the Walk to Cure Arthritis, Raising More Than $32,000

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend my Saturday morning at Delaware Park for the 2026 Walk to Cure Arthritis Buffalo, and once again, Buffalo showed exactly what can happen when a community comes together for a cause.

Ed Nice Jackson

More than 220 participants and 21 registered teams gathered on Saturday, August 15, to walk, connect and raise awareness for the millions of children and adults impacted by arthritis. Even more impressive, the Buffalo community helped raise more than $32,000, surpassing this year’s original fundraising goal of $25,000.

But being there reminded me that events like this are about much more than a fundraising total.

Before the Walk, I had the opportunity to interview Walk Chair Talisa King and Adult Honoree JoAnna Rozier-Johnson about why this work is personal and why continuing to bring awareness to arthritis matters.

Ed Nice Jackson

JoAnna was one of several people recognized during this year’s event, joining Young Adult Honoree Maddie Mazurek, Medical Honoree Dr. Carlos Martinez of Premier Health Partners and Co-Medical Honoree Steve Hodkin, PA.

Walking through Delaware Park, you could see the different faces of arthritis represented families, advocates, healthcare professionals, volunteers, and people personally living with the disease. Some walked the approximately 1.8-mile route while others participated in activities at the event, making the morning accessible for people with different abilities.

Ed Nice Jackson

When we hear the word arthritis, it can be easy to think of it as something that only impacts older adults, but the reality is much broader. Children, young adults and families are also navigating the challenges that come with the disease, which makes awareness, research and access to resources even more important.

The money raised in Buffalo will help support the Arthritis Foundation’s work in research, advocacy, education and resources for people living with arthritis.

The event was also made possible through the support of local sponsors and community partners, including West Herr Cares, Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope, New York State Senator April Baskin, Partners in Community Development, Ingram Micro, Buffalo Center for Health Equity, Batavia Downs and Rich Products, along with national sponsors Zoetis and Tylenol.

And although the Walk is officially over, the opportunity to support the mission is not.

Donations are still being accepted, so if you weren't able to make it to Delaware Park this weekend, you can still contribute to the Buffalo Walk, support a participant or team, and help push that $32,000 total even higher.

Listen to my conversation with Talisa King and JoAnna Rozier-Johnson here to hear more about their personal connection to this work and why Buffalo's continued support matters. Listen HERE 

And if their stories move you, there is still time to give.

Sometimes showing up means walking the route. Sometimes it means sharing the story. And sometimes it simply means making a donation.

Either way, every step counts.