With spring upon us, now is the perfect time for Australian families to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and take part in the biggest national fundraising event of the year for type 1 diabetes.
Now in its 20th year, Walk to Cure Diabetes will be held 30 cities and regional towns across Australia during October and November.
The walks are organised by Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Around 40,000 people are expected to take part in 2013 Walk to Cure Diabetes events that will be held in every capital city and several major regional locations.
JDRF CEO Mike Wilson said: “This is our biggest fundraising event of the year with the sole purpose of raising funds for medical research.”
“Our goal is to raise more than $1.5 million through walk events around the country, which goes directly into funding up to 40 research projects that JDRF is currently driving in the medical research world for type 1 diabetes.”
“We have had some great achievements in research in the last 20 years such as the successful trial of the first generation Artificial Pancreas. However, there are dozens of Australian research projects that need funding this year.
“Researchers are working hard to understand the complicated mix of genetic and environmental factors that may cause or trigger this disease. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that cannot be treated by going on a diet or cutting down on sugar.”
Since the first walk was held in Australia in 1993, the annual event has raised over $28 million. The event aims to raise awareness about this chronic disease and, more importantly, raises funds to support medical research to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes.
“It is a great day out for families and they will be pleased to know that every step they take is hopefully one step closer to finding a cure for this terrible disease.” said Mike Wilson
Visit www.jdrf.org.au/walk to find and register for the nearest Walk to Cure Diabetes event.
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