Cindy's Story
“While it was a huge relief – I finally knew what was wrong with me and I could get treatment – the news that I had a chronic disease felt like a life sentence.”
At age 27, Cindy Hughes Anliker was diagnosed with adult Still’s disease, a rare form of inflammatory arthritis. “Before I was diagnosed, I had crazy symptoms for years – salmon-colored rashes, high fevers, joint pain, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. I was even hospitalized for several days because I was so sick,” she said. “While it was a huge relief – I finally knew what was wrong with me and I could get treatment – the news that I had a chronic disease felt like a life sentence.”
Although the symptoms of adult Still’s disease have persisted since she was diagnosed, Cindy refuses to let the disease defeat her spirit. Each day, she focuses on giving her best self to others and being a positive influence, especially to the young people in her life. Since 2004, Cindy has been a resident and marketing communications professional in the greater Des Moines metro, currently working as a marketing manager for UnitedHealthcare. She has been a board member for the Arthritis Foundation since 2010 and the team captain of Cindy’s Pickles for the Des Moines Walk to Cure Arthritis.
Cindy is active in several community organizations and was honored in 2014 as one of the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40. She has a master’s in adult learning and organizational performance from Drake University and a bachelor’s in communication studies from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Cindy also graduated from the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute’s community leadership program in 2012.
Cindy has been happily married to Clark Anliker since 2007. They have two adorable pups, Lex and Mickey. Cindy’s loved ones, medical team and community, as well as her wish to cure arthritis for the millions who suffer from arthritic diseases, keep her motivated.
Although the symptoms of adult Still’s disease have persisted since she was diagnosed, Cindy refuses to let the disease defeat her spirit. Each day, she focuses on giving her best self to others and being a positive influence, especially to the young people in her life. Since 2004, Cindy has been a resident and marketing communications professional in the greater Des Moines metro, currently working as a marketing manager for UnitedHealthcare. She has been a board member for the Arthritis Foundation since 2010 and the team captain of Cindy’s Pickles for the Des Moines Walk to Cure Arthritis.
Cindy is active in several community organizations and was honored in 2014 as one of the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40. She has a master’s in adult learning and organizational performance from Drake University and a bachelor’s in communication studies from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Cindy also graduated from the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute’s community leadership program in 2012.
Cindy has been happily married to Clark Anliker since 2007. They have two adorable pups, Lex and Mickey. Cindy’s loved ones, medical team and community, as well as her wish to cure arthritis for the millions who suffer from arthritic diseases, keep her motivated.