JDRF One Walk has one goal: to create a world without Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Money raised in the walk supports life-changing breakthroughs that give hope to everyone affected by this disease. This year, the local Walk is slated for Nov. 16 at Segra Park.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle—and it's serious and stressful to manage. There's nothing to do to prevent T1D, and there's currently no cure, but money can be raised for associated research.
The Columbia One Walk is a family-friendly event that includes a Kid’s Zone, face/hair painting, diabetes vendors, DJ music, refreshments, a mile of hope and V1P breakfast. Families, schools and businesses form walk teams to raise funds to advance research.
JDRF is the leading organization funding T1D research, with the mission to accelerate ways to cure, prevent and treat this disease and its complications. In fact, JDRF staff members have invested nearly $2 billion in research funding since the nonprofit's inception.
Three Ways to Support JDRF
1. Join or form a team for the walk.
“Five years ago, I started my platform and walk team, "Strength in Numbers," in hopes of educating the public and encouraging other individuals diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Children and adults with T1D live by numbers—number of carbs and protein in a meal, amount of insulin needed to cover the meal, hours of sleep, minutes spent exercising, CGM numbers—numbers consume our days, and no one can escape the constant influx of math problems," says Julia Bland, a Lake Murray area 18-year-old with T1D.
"Strength in Numbers, however, also stands for the number of loved ones we have supporting us, loving on us and simply having our backs on hard days. I know there is strength in believing our best days are ahead, strength in the number of family and friends surrounding us, strength in coming together to find a cure,” Julia assures.
2. Get involved in a JDRF committee or event.
The Hope Gala is JDRF's most high-profile networking opportunity. It includes a cocktail reception with a silent auction, dinner with the program and a presentation of the Living and Giving Award, a live auction and signature Fund A Cure program, along with an after-party with music and dancing. With nearly 350 attendees, the Hope Gala is a fun, inspirational event.
There are several ways to support the gala—corporate sponsorship, social table host, donation of silent or live auction items and direct donation to Fund a Cure where 100% of the money donated goes directly to research.
“JDRF has given us a voice and way to advocate and educate. As parents of a teenager living with Type 1, we often feel helpless but aren't without hope. JDRF’s mission is to cure Type 1. Until that day, JDRF will continue to focus on advancements which lead to healthier outcomes. For that, we are forever grateful and take comfort in knowing research scientist, businesses, friends, families and moms and dads across the world have joined efforts with JDRF to make type one, type none,” says Amber, Julia Bland's mother.
Amber serves on the JDRF Palmetto Chapter board of directors and has co-chaired the Hope Gala along with her husband Scott.
3. Participate in an endurance event with Team JDRF or JDRF Ride to Cure.
Team JDRF provides entry into some of the country’s most exciting challenge events, such as Run Disney and the Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon Series. The Palmetto Chapter has seven runners participating in the 10K or half-marathon of Run Disney on Jan. 11, 2020. For more information, visit Team.JDRF.org.
JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes is a charitable bike ride that to-date has raised more than $50 million for T1D research. It gives cyclists of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to support the effort to find a cure.
The Palmetto Chapter had 11 riders participate in the Sonoma JDRF Ride to Cure on Aug. 24. Fifteen riders are scheduled in the Amelia Island JDRF Ride to Cure on Oct. 5, and one rider in the Death Valley Ride on Oct. 19. The team is coached by Eric James, of Columbia, and Pete Miller, of Mount Pleasant.
Editor's note: Beth, who is the mother to Hannah, a T1D warrior since Aug. 21, 2008, says the JDRF rides make her life richer and fuller.
"There's no greater feeling than riding with hundreds of people who share your passion to keep pedaling until we cross the finish line to a cure for Type 1 diabetes.”