Arthritis Foundation 25th annual black-tie gala huge success

The 25th annual Arthritis Foundation Black Tie Gala took place on Saturday, Sept. 20 at The Drake Hotel.

The Arthritis Foundation honored Timothy P. Walbert, chief executive officer of Horizon Pharma Inc. in Deerfield, with the 2014 Freedom of Movement Award. The award is given annually as recognition to leaders in the advancement of research and awareness for the management, prevention and cure of arthritis; the leading cause of disability in the United States.

The evening's affair included dinner, dancing, and a silent and live auction. Some of this year's exciting auction items included a "Blackhawks Experience" with the Chicago Blackhawks; The Lodge at Torrey Pines, a beautiful vacation in sunny La Jolla, California; "Jewels Fit for a Queen," a diamond and lemon quartz pendant necklace; "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," with the Chicago Cubs, and a host of other great items!

The incomparable Lynne Jordan and the Shivers provided the entertainment, and Nancy Pender, former WFLD news anchor, served as the evening's emcee.

The Freedom of Movement Award Gala is the largest fundraising event of the year for the Arthritis Foundation. Nearly 350 people attended, and the event raised just shy of $280,000! Funds raised go to support research, and provide key local and national advocacy and public education programs.

A very special thank you to this year's sponsors: AbbVie, Horizon Pharma Inc., Athletico, The Rubschlager's, Rush University Medical Center, Cowen Group, SciLucent, LLC and the Lodge at Torrey Pines.

See you next year!

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the unacceptable impact of arthritis, which strikes one in every five adults and 300,000 children, and is the nation's leading cause of disability. To conquer this painful, debilitating disease, we support education, research, advocacy and other vital programs and services.