JDRF One Walk to raise funds for type 1 diabetes research

Press release from Greater Western Carolinas Chapter: 

On Saturday, October 12 the JDRF Greater Western Carolinas Chapter kicks off its 8th annual JDRF One Walk® at McCormick Field. Aiming to raise more than $126,000 to help fund critically needed type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, the event, organized by JDRF Greater Western Carolinas, is expected to attract more than 700 supporters, including teams representing local businesses, families, schools and other organizations. The event is one of approximately 160 JDRF One Walks nationwide that bring together hundreds of thousands of people each year who share JDRF’s vision to create a world without T1D.

“Each year more than 40,000 people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the United States,” explains Jamie Hayes, Executive Director. “We are thankful for the City of Asheville, our volunteers, donors and local sponsors like the Asheville Tourists for their continued support. Every participant and supporter of the JDRF One Walk helps us fund critical research that can lead to scientific breakthroughs and ultimately a cure.”

JDRF encourages people of all ages driven to support a great cause to participate in JDRF One Walk and enjoy a day of family-friendly fun with kid’s activities, music, snacks, and a walk route through Asheville starting and ending at McCormick Field. Paramount Kia of Asheville has recently announced that they will serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the JDRF One Walk with a donation of $15,000 to JDRF. Jackie Steward, a former volunteer and now staff member of JDRF, will be honored at the One Walk for her continued support to JDRF since her son Michael’s diagnosis 10 years ago. Jackie was integral in bringing JDRF to the Asheville community and helping begin this local Walk. Pre-registration is recommended and on-site check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The entire JDRF One Walk will be approximately 3 miles long.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults at any age. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys the cells that release insulin, eventually eliminating insulin production from the body. T1D requires rigorous 24/7 monitoring of blood glucose levels to avoid devastating complications. T1D onset is sudden and unpreventable, and it is unrelated to diet or lifestyle.

JDRF One Walk is the largest and most powerful peer-to-peer fundraising program in the world for T1D. It is comprised of a community that is dedicated to supporting the millions of people living with T1D each and every day. Whether they have a direct connection to the disease or not, everyone who joins JDRF One Walk is united and passionate about showing their support in accelerating life-changing breakthroughs that get us closer to a cure and providing hope to those affected by T1D.

Tom Ellis, the General Manager of Paramount Kia of Asheville’s, youngest son, Ty Ellis, was diagnosed with T1D two days after his 4th birthday. “The warning signs were easy to miss,” according to Mr. Ellis. “He was really thirsty, drinking a lot and running to the bathroom more than usual. He was also more tired than usual, but we related that to the heat of the summer. It has been 5 years since that diagnosis, but we still have hope that a cure is in the near future. We need the support of our family, friends and community to help JDRF fund the research that could lead to a cure.”

JDRF gratefully acknowledges its local corporate partners for JDRF One Walk, Asheville, including the Asheville Tourists, Paramount Kia of Asheville, Mountain Credit Union, EATON, Great Beginnings Great Smiles, SunTrust, Asheville Endocrinology, White Labs Asheville, Solara Medical, Family Health Centers, WLOS, and iHeart Media.