According to jdrf.org, as many as 3 million Americans may have type 1 diabetes, and each year, more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the United States.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading global organization in diabetes focused on type 1 diabetes. Their goal is to better the lives of every person affected by this condition by promoting awareness, treatments, and prevention.
Every year, JDRF sponsors Walk to Cure Diabetes over numerous states across the country. The Walk is an event that allows those affected by the disease, and their friends and families to participate in a walk which signifies the promotion of awareness for type 1 diabetes.
People can walk individually or with a team. Also, they can make donations to JDRF.
JDRF helps millions of people become knowledgeable about this disease. Daniel Elegante, an Honors Chemistry and AP Chemistry teacher at Bob Jones High School, has personal connections to JDRF.
Elegante’s daughter Sarah, a ninth grader at Bob Jones, has diabetes. On September 9, he and his family participated in the Walk to Cure Diabetes located at Dynetics in Research Park.
Elegante said, “The Walk is a great way for my family to raise money and awareness for type 1 diabetes. It gets us in the paper, on the news and gives us a chance to educate folks as we hit them up for cash.”
JDRF strives to continue fundraising in order to find a cure for this disease that affects populations across the globe. In order to participate in their annual Walk, just go to jdrf.org and sign up today.
