Darci Chan, Meg Reid, Casey Reid and Katie Greer of Lafayette, members of the National Charity League which helped on the walk Photo submitted

A group estimated at over 2,000 participated in a charity walk on Sunday October 4, 2009, to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The walkers and their supporters-- who came from all over the Bay Area-- gathered at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. This was the 19th annual JDRF East Bay walk.
The event raised over $400,000 dollars, but that number will grow as more pledges come in over the next few months according to JDRF staff member Kelly Craft. Over 100 families walked together on the two-mile route and 34 corporate or civic groups walked as teams.
The event raises money for reaserch and treatment for juvenile diabetes, one of the fastest growing medical problems facing the nation. Children who have diabetes really appreciated the outpouring of support from the walk. Emily Giambastini, age 14, of Lafayette suffers from juvenile diabetes and participated in today's walk with a team of friends and family. "They care about me a lot and that's good," said Giambastini.
Over four million Americans now have diabetes, many of them children. Sadly, the numbers are growing. Every thirty seconds, another person in the United States is diagnosed with diabetes.
Major corporate sponsors for the walk included Abbott Diabetes Care, based in Alameda, and USS-Posco Industries, based in Pittsburg, CA. For more information visit www.CureType1.org.