(Newswire.net — April 30, 2015) Wellesley , MA — Great accomplishments often come one step at a time—and Cape Codders are asked to step up. The JDRF Cape Cod Walk to Cure Diabetes is looking to do just that on Sunday, May 31. Stepping off from the Cape Cod Fairgrounds, 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway, Route 151, East Falmouth, MA 02536, the Walk check in is at 9:30 a.m. and the event begins at 10:30 a.m. The walk length is 5K (3.1 miles).
The goal of the Walk is to raise awareness and funds to support individuals and families with a connection to type 1 diabetes (T1D) on the Cape and South Shore. When someone is diagnosed, it’s a difficult time because it usually involves a big learning curve and lifestyle changes. It’s helpful to know that there are families and supporters that they can call for help, advice, or just to talk. This is the goal of starting the Cape Walk—to build a network and resources in this market.
The event is organized by the JDRF New England Chapter and is one of more than 200 community Walks nationwide that bring together hundreds of thousands of people each year who share JDRF’s mission to create a world without T1D. The chapter has set a fundraising goal of more than $107,000, which will help fund critically needed T1D research.
“Whether you have type 1 diabetes, know someone who does, or want to simply participate in an event that makes a huge impact on so many lives, JDRF welcomes you to our team,” said Amy Montalto, JDRF executive director. “Thanks to the incredible supporters of the JDRF Walk, the local community, supporters, and volunteers, JDRF is able to direct even more funding toward important type 1 diabetes research for the millions of people with this serious disease. We are confident that together, we will reach our fundraising goal and ultimately be a part of turning Type One into Type None.”
The Walk is expected to draw an enthusiastic crowd of all ages, driven to support a great cause while enjoying an event that includes live music, an Activities Tent featuring arts and crafts, food, fun, and more! The Walk will take place rain or shine. To register, or to support a Walker or Team, visit walk.jdrf.org/capecod2015. For more information, contact Jillian Boston at 781-431-0700 or jboston@jdrf.org.
The JDRF Walk is the most powerful peer-to-peer fundraising program in the world for T1D, raising more than $75 million annually. Since 1992, the event has raised more than $1 billion for life-changing T1D research—research that has led to breakthrough discoveries, many of which have already moved into clinical trials and real-world testing. Although there has been considerable progress, there is plenty more we have yet to accomplish. As JDRF’s flagship fundraising event and the largest T1D event in the world, the JDRF Walk provides the perfect opportunity to get more involved in your local JDRF community and show your commitment to creating a world without T1D. JDRF gratefully acknowledges its Elite Partners who support its efforts to create a world without T1D: Advance Auto Parts, Ford Motor Company, Marshalls, Novo Nordisk, and Walgreens.
About Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that impacts millions of people around the world. The disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone essential to turning food into energy. Without insulin, glucose from food stays in the blood, where it can cause serious damage to all of the body’s organ systems. T1D strikes both children and adults suddenly and is unrelated to diet or lifestyle. It requires constant carbohydrate counting, blood-glucose testing, and lifelong dependence on injected insulin. With T1D there are no days off, and there is no cure.
About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on T1D research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, policy influence and a working plan to bring life-changing therapies from the lab to the community. As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, JDRF is currently sponsoring $450 million in charitable research in 17 countries. For more information, call 781-431-0700 or visit newengland.jdrf.org.