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Walk to Cure Diabetes slated for Nov. 13 

Hundreds of walkers representing local corporations, families, schools and organizations are expected to turn out for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) Low Country Chapter’s Walk to Cure Diabetes, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 13 at Wannamaker County Park.  The chapter’s goal is to raise more than $115,000 for research to find a cure for diabetes and its complications.

“It’s great to be working together with JDRF on such an important goal—curing a disease which kills one American every three minutes,” said Frank Finlaw, Charleston division president of Beazer Homes and the 2004 corporate recruitment chair. “Additionally, the latest statistics reveal that health care expenditures surrounding diabetes cost our nation more than $130 billion in 2002. That’s why we are committed to raising money for cutting-edge research. By working together, we can make a difference.”

Entire families enjoy participating in the Walk to Cure Diabetes. There will be music, food and a jump castle. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. at Cypress Hall. 

“We are immensely appreciative of Beazer’s participation,” said Mark Ruppel, president of the Low Country Chapter Board of Directors. “This is corporate citizenship at its best.  The commitment of Beazer Homes enables us to accelerate research to find a cure for diabetes. As we know, insulin is life support, not a cure.” 

Actor Kevin Kline is national chair of JDRF’s Walk to Cure Diabetes. A member of JDRF’s New York City Chapter Board of Directors, Kline has been an advocate for JDRF for the past four years. Kline has also served as vice president of government relations from 1999 to 2001, at which time he testified before Congress in an effort to increase federal funding for research that can lead to a cure for juvenile diabetes.  Additionally, he played an integral part as vice president of public awareness and education from 2001 to 2003. 

“Those of us who are blessed with good health must do all we can to help support the research community in their search for a cure for juvenile diabetes,” Kline said. “The daily regimen of finger pricks and injections of insulin, combined with the constant dread of complications, are burdens which no child should have to suffer.”

The Low Country Chapter’s Walk to Cure Diabetes is one of the many JDRF Walks held in more than 250 cities worldwide.  Nationally, around 500,000 people walked to cure diabetes last year, and 600,000 are expected this year. Collectively, the JDRF Walks raised over $75 million last year, and are expected to raise $80 million this year. 

National JDRF Walk partners are: Advance Auto Parts, BD Consumer Healthcare, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Delta Air Lines, Discover Financial Services, Ford Motor Company, HyVee, LifeScan, Marshalls, Medtronic MiniMed, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Stop & Shop, UBS, and Walgreens.

JDRF, the leading charitable funder and advocate of juvenile (type 1) diabetes research worldwide, was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with juvenile diabetes—a disease which strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin-dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since inception, JDRF has provided more than $800 million in direct funding to diabetes research. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. JDRF’s mission is constant:  to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. 

For more information, visit the JDRF Web site at http://www.jdrf.org or call 763-1973.
 
 

Friday, Nov. 5, 2004
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