CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Participants all have different reasons for their motivation, but they all come together to support awareness and a life threatening disease, type one diabetes through a 5k walk.
Each year, more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults are diagnosed with type one diabetes in America.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes research, sponsored the 7th Annual Walk to Cure Diabetes March 23 in Jacksonville, N.C, an event where hundreds gathered to support the cause.
“We have found that diabetes affects many of the immediate families of the people participating,” said Karen Salefsky, the co-chairman of the Annual Walk to Cure Diabetes. “Many people even in the committee have been diagnosed.”
Donations help make developing things like the artificial pancreas, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration possible. There is no cure to diabetes yet, but developments like the artificial pancreas bring it closer.
Many have been affected by diabetes, by either living with it or knowing someone who suffers or has succumbed to the disease.
“We’re going to keep walking until they find the cure,” said Corinne Edwards, Ms. North Carolina and co-chairman of the Annual Walk to Cure Diabetes. “And when they find it we’ll be walking in celebration.”
More than 400 people showed up to show support of finding a cure to this disease. Many gave donations and showed their support.
“To have this much support from this community and Camp Lejeune is wonderful. We’re thrilled. This has been our biggest turnout.”
The 7th Annual Walk to Cure Diabetes spreads knowledge about type one diabetes. They’re doing everything they can to help find the cure to this disease that affects millions of people daily, said Salefsky.