Students walk a mile or more for health

Students and teachers at Wendt Elementary and Thomas Middle schools laced up their sneakers and hustled outside June 4 for a walk to cure diabetes.

The event was a culmination of a weeklong fundraiser for JDRF, a global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. The goal of JDRF is to improve the lives of every person affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing the disease.

Students contributed to the cause by selling paper sneakers to their families and friends in honor of type 1 diabetes, which affects nearly 26 million Americans. With the help of first grade teacher, Lisa Ridout, the sneakers were displayed in the elementary school hallway for all to see.

“I really enjoyed working with the school and the faculty,” said Elizabeth Squires, Special Events Manager for the Oregon/SW Washington Chapter of JDRF. “Everyone was welcoming and helpful and really got behind the students and the fundraiser.”

Students raised over $600 with the hope of improving the lives of every person with T1D and curing the disease. Our local contribution will be combined with over $48,000 raised in Oregon and SW Washington since the program was launched during the 2007-2008 school year.

“This was our first time to this area and it is our hope that we’re invited back again next year to raise even more money,” Squires said.

As incentive, JDRF gives back 10 percent of funds raised to the schools. The remainder of the money raised by local students will be applied to helping the people most affected by diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing one can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing one can do to get rid of it.

“This is a disease that comes on suddenly,” Squires explained. “It strikes both children and adults at any age.”

The walk, held at the Wahkiakum High School track, brought together a range of students, teachers and volunteers to come together in a healthy activity for a worthy cause.