Showing posts with label juvenile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label juvenile. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Georgia Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Raises $1.9 Million at the 2010 Walk to Cure Diabetes

/PRNewswire/ -- More than 10,000 people participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Georgia Chapter's Walk to Cure Diabetes, raising more than $1.9 million. The proceeds from this extraordinary event go towards research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.

For the second year in a row Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) led the fundraising efforts as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2010 Walk to Cure Diabetes, raising a total of $73,000 - $55,000 from the BCBSGa Foundation and more than $18,000 raised by BCBSGa associates. "Diabetes remains an epidemic in our country, and unfortunately there is a strong likelihood that we all know someone impacted by this disease," said Morgan Kendrick, President, BCBSGa. "This is certainly true for me, and for many of our 3,000 employees and 2.5 million members in Georgia, which is why we continue to support JDRF."

This event brought together hundreds of corporate, family and school teams, made up of thousands of people, who walked in support of finding a cure for diabetes. After the 5K everyone enjoyed a fun afternoon of games and live entertainment from local performers including Gym South, Sole Momentum and Lost City. Charlie Kimball, the only licensed driver with diabetes in the Indy Racing League, also showed his support by shaking hands and signing autographs for fans of all ages.

"We thank all of our corporate sponsors and volunteers for their hard work and support of the Walk to Cure Diabetes," said JDRF Georgia Chapter Executive Director, Clanci Jordan. "Due to the millions of dollars raised at the annual walks JDRF is able to fund the most promising science that will accelerate progress toward new treatments, and eventually a cure."

The Walk to Cure Diabetes is the fastest growing fund raising event in the history of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Today walks are held in more than 200 cities worldwide. Nearly 500,000 people nationally walked last year and raised $90 million to cure diabetes.

For information on how to get involved in the 2011 Walk to Cure Diabetes visit http://jdrfgeorgia.org/ or call 404-420-5990.

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Monday, September 13, 2010

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Names Morgan Kendrick Corporate Chair for Its Annual Walk to Cure Diabetes

/PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has announced that Morgan Kendrick, incoming president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa), will serve as the Corporate Chair for its annual fundraising event, Walk to Cure Diabetes. As the JDRF Georgia Chapter's largest event, the Walk is expected to bring together more than 10,000 diabetes supporters. The event is scheduled in Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, and Johns Creek at State Farm Technology Park on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010.

"Diabetes is becoming an epidemic in our country, and chances are we all know someone impacted by this disease. This is certainly true for me, and many of our 3,000 employees and 3 million members in Georgia, and that's why we have chosen to partner with JDRF and the Walk to Cure Diabetes. We want to make a real difference in the lives of those that we touch," said Kendrick.

In 2009, the Walk raised more than $2.1 million to fund research to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. With the assistance of BCBSGa, JDRF plans to once again exceed $2 million and accelerate the cure for this widespread disease.

"We are enthusiastic to once again have the support of BCBSGa at the 2010 Walk to Cure Diabetes. The exceptional growth and success of the Walk is a direct result of our loyal partners, like BCBSGa," said Clanci Jordan, JDRF Georgia executive director.

As many as 3 million people in the U.S. are now living with Type 1 diabetes. Each year, more than 15,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes - that's 40 children per day. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.

Corporate sponsorships, corporate Walk Teams and Family Walk Teams will be the key to the success of the Walk to Cure Diabetes. For more information about JDRF, the critical research they fund and how you can help, call 404-420-5990, or visit www.jdrf.org.

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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Celebrity Link to Type 1 Diabetes Further Connects the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Georgia Chapter and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia

/PRNewswire/ -- For Laura Putnam and her children, this past Saturday night will be one to remember for a very long time. Thanks to the efforts of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA), a family from Columbus, GA had a brush with fame - an in-person meet-and-greet with the Jonas Brothers in Atlanta.

Putnam, a BCBSGA employee with two of her three children (Tommy, 11 and Lauren, 14) diagnosed and living with type 1 diabetes, was chosen as the on-site JDRF Ambassador family for BCBSGA's efforts supporting the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes at Centennial Olympic Park on Oct. 17. When JDRF heard about the family's love for the Jonas Brothers, they went to work, securing them four tickets and a special chance to meet their idol, Nick Jonas, who is an active spokesperson for JDRF as he too is diagnosed and living with type 1 diabetes.

"The JDRF organization and BCBSGA have been there for us during our family's most difficult moments," said Laura Putnam. "Being able to attend the Jonas Brothers concert and meet them in person was an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime gift for my children. Nick Jonas is so open about his diabetes and is such a role model for my kids - he encourages all children to be dedicated to their health, openly pursue their dreams and never let anything slow them down."

"JDRF is immensely appreciative of BCBSGA's continued participation," said Clanci Jordan, Executive Director. "This is corporate citizenship at its finest. BCBSGA's commitment enables us to accelerate research to find a cure for diabetes. Insulin is not a cure, merely life support for the estimated 3 million Americans suffering from type 1 diabetes and its complications. Research is the only answer."

More than 7,000 walkers representing local corporations, families, schools and other organizations are expected to participate in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes in Atlanta, where there will be live music, Moon Bounces, and a variety of food and entertainment. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. and the entire walk is approximately three miles long. The fundraising goal of the Walk is to realize more than $2 million for research to find a cure for diabetes and its complications. Local JDRF Walk Sponsors include: BCBSGA, Cisco, AT&T, Melvin S. Roos & Co., InterContinental Hotels Group and Delta Airlines.

"At BCBSGA, we choose to align with organizations that support our core health initiatives and have a track record for delivering on their promises, which ultimately result in a measurable affect on the community - JDRF does this and so much more," said Monye Connolly, President, BCBSGA. "It is our mission to have a direct impact on the well-being of the customers we serve and the overall health of our communities."

The Columbus walk on Oct. 3 will be host to approximately 1,000 walkers and is expected to raise $120,000. This year two new walks have been added in Georgia: a North Metro Atlanta Walk in the Johns Creek area will take place Oct. 4 and is anticipated to have 3,000 walkers raising $350,000; and in Augusta a new site will be host to the walk on Nov. 7.

In addition to wide-spread corporate support, entire families from kids to grandparents take part in the fundraising efforts of the Walk to Cure Diabetes - many are affected, but even those who are not among the 14 million Americans with a personal connection to type 1 diabetes participate. Currently, there are approximately 500,000 Georgians living with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

The celebrity connection doesn't stop with Nick Jonas, actor Kevin Kline is the National Chair of JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes. Mr. Kline has been a celebrity JDRF advocate for the past four years.

"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," said Kevin Kline. "The daily regimen of finger pricks and injections of insulin, combined with the constant dread of complications, are burdens that no child should have to endure."

JDRF Walks are held in more than 200 cities worldwide. Nearly 500,000 people nationally walked last year and raised $94 million to cure diabetes.

JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes National Corporate Partners include: Advance Auto Parts, Albertsons, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Discover Financial Services, Ford Motor Company, Fresh Market, Lifescan, Marshalls, Old Orchard, UBS, Turner and Walgreens. Unite to Cure Diabetes partners are: Delta Air Lines, and Medtronic MiniMed.

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