South Sound Residents Walk To Cure Diabetes

Locals come out to find a cure for the disease which represents the nation’s largest healthcare expenditure, affects South Sound residents at much higher rate than rest of the state.

 Tacoma, Washington – April 13, 2010 – More than 3,000 walkers representing local corporations, families, schools, and other organizations are expected to participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) 14th Annual South Sound Walk to Cure Diabetes, on Saturday, May 8th at UW Tacoma from 7:30 a.m. – 12 noon.  Sections of downtown Tacoma including Stadium Way, A Street, and Pacific Avenue will be closed off while participants walk the streets in support of JDRF.  The goal of the JDRF South Sound Branch is to realize more than $300,000 for research and to spread awareness about diabetes and its complications.

 “It’s great to be partnering with JDRF and working together on such an important goal – curing a disease that kills one American every three minutes. The recent statistics are staggering and reveal that diabetes is our nation’s single most costly health care expenditure, costing the U.S. more than $174 billion per year,” says Ken Grassi, Honorary Corporate Chairman and owner of Grassi’s Flowers and Gifts in Tacoma.  “Diabetes accounts for 32% of all Medicare expenditures.  While we are looking for ways to revise our healthcare system, investing in research to stem the devastating affects of this disease on our citizens and our economy is vital.”

 JDRF is immensely appreciative of Ken Grassi’s participation,” said Nadine Heichel, Executive Director of the JDRF Northwest Chapter. “As a prominent small business leader, Ken has been instrumental in spreading awareness about this disease that affects the South Sound particularly hard.  In Pierce County, the rate of diabetes is much higher than the state average.” 

 Many South Sound businesses have joined Grassi’s to sponsor the Walk to Cure including Presenting Sponsor, DaVita, and event sponsors Kitsap Bank, KFC, Viking, and Farrelli’s Pizza.  JDRF’s Walk to Cure Diabetes National Partners are:  Ford Motor Company, Advance Auto Parts, Marshalls, Turner-A TimeWarner Company, Delta Airlines, LifeScan, and Walgreens.

 In addition to wide-spread corporate support, entire families from kids to grandparents take part in the fundraising efforts of the South Sound Walk to Cure Diabetes.  Many grandparents with onset diabetes walk in support of a cure for their grandchildren with type 1, hoping they won’t have to suffer through the same complications that they’ve struggled with.  The effects of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, amputations, and pregnancy complications. 

 JDRF was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with type-1 diabetes - a disease that strikes children, adolescents, and adults suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications.  Since inception, JDRF has provided more than $1.4 billion to diabetes research worldwide. More than 82 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.  JDRF sets the global agenda for diabetes research through their government advocacy and by funding more diabetes research worldwide than any other non-government organization.

 If you would like more information about this event or would like to schedule an interview with the organizers or a participant, please call Brad Benson at (206) 838-5153 or bbenson@jdrf.org.  Registration for the Tacoma Walk to Cure is done at: WWW.WALK.JDRF.ORG.