The University of Virginia Center for Diabetes Technology partnered with local volunteers to host the 2024 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Community Walk on June 8 at Albemarle High School.
Many people in the Charlottesville community and beyond have been touched by Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The one-mile walk around the high school track was an effort to raise money to fund scientific breakthroughs to make living with T1D easier to manage. For the first time in our history, there is a clear path to cures for T1D and community support will drive as many of these therapies to the market as quickly as possible.
JFDR Community Walk Chair Anna Passero started the event with an inspirational story about how T1D has impacted her family, since her husband and one of her children are living with the disease. JDRF Mid-Atlantic chapter representative Ryan Lightner attended the event and shared news about the rebranding of JDRF to Breakthrough T1D. Over the past 50 years, the understanding of T1D has evolved. What was once diagnosed as “juvenile diabetes” is now diagnosed as “type 1 diabetes” and can impact children and adults alike.
Positive Impact
The Charlottesville Community Walk raised over $25,700 dollars this year, surpassing the goal of $20,000. More than 150 people participated in walk, which also included face painting, beaded bracelet making, and coloring activities for the children. Bodo’s Bagels donated bagels to the event and local food truck, Buzzing Bee Coffee Co., provided delicious tea and coffee drinks. According to Mr. Lightner, Mid-Atlantic walks have collectively raised over $1.3 million and over $30 million nationwide.
News Coverage
Watch local CBS19 News coverage about the walk: Annual walk supporting research into type 1 diabetes and JDRF ‘One Walk’ for type 1 diabetes research raises thousands of dollars
Filed Under: Community