To learn more about JDRF, go to www.jdrfgeorgia.org
Centennial Olympic Park brought together 8,000 people on Oct. 19 who all had gathered to support the same cause: JDRF. The 32nd annual JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes promoted awareness and raise funds for advancing research toward preventing, better treating and curing Type-1 diabetes and its complications.
Being a part of JDRF, formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, was important to Andrew Cash. “ Both of my sons were diagnosed with [Type-1 diabetes], and it’s a permanent diagnosis that is life-changing,” he said. Cash’s son, Gavin, 12, was diagnosed at age three, and Liam, 10, was diagnosed at age eight.
“As a parent, its tough to watch your child go through the everyday life of having T1D, especially when they are so little,” he said in reference to insulin shots and blood sugar testing at least three times a day. “We got involved with JDRF not just to support the cause, but also because we become like an extended family. We have formed amazing friendships and also found support from other families who are going through the same thing.”
In Georgia, an estimated 35 children are diagnosed each month with Type-1 diabetes. Each year, more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults – approximately 80 people per day – are diagnosed with T1D in the U.S., according to JDRF.
“The money raised goes towards research to find out why this disease affects so many children and adults. And, this number of those affected is rising so JDRF’s mission is more important than ever,” said Mallory Lamons, development coordinator for JDRF-Georgia Chapter.
The JDRF Walk for Diabetes was held in Centennial Olympic Park and Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park on Oct. 20. The two-day walk saw over 11,000 people come together and raise over $1.5 million for JDRF.
In other news: Kangaroo Express donated $53,977 to the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation on Oct. 25 in Marietta. Kangaroo Express, an independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, is operated by The Pantry Inc. Georgia National Guard Family Support provides assistance on an emergency relief basis to soldiers and airmen serving in the Georgia National Guard and other qualified military members living in Georgia.
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