WVU Medicine Children’s to join JDRF for Community One Walk on Sept. 30

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU Medicine Children’s will join the JDRF Community One Walk in Morgantown at 10 a.m. on Sept. 30 at the Track and Field Complex at Mylan Park, aiming to raise more than $75,000 to help fund critically needed type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.   

The event, organized by JDRF volunteers, is expected to attract more than 200 supporters, including teams representing local businesses, families, schools, and other organizations. The JDRF Community One Walk brings together people who share JDRF’s vision to create a world without T1D for a day of inspiration and fun. The walk is sponsored by WVU Medicine, WVU Medicine Children’s, and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Morgantown.

“Everyone who comes out to walk or support the event will bring us one step closer to turning Type One into Type None. This is a great activity for families and friends to get together in support of type 1 diabetes research, whether you know someone affected by T1D or just want to make a difference,” Emily Smaniotto, coordinator of the Diabetes Education Center at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital and JDRF Community One Walk chair, said. 

“We are grateful for the incredible support of the people of Morgantown and supporters like Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Morgantown, who are doing their part to make life better for more than 1.25 million people in the United States who have this serious disease.”

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults at any age. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys the cells that release insulin, eventually eliminating insulin production from the body. Type 1 diabetes requires rigorous 24/7 monitoring of blood glucose levels to avoid devastating complications. T1D onset is sudden and unpreventable, and it is unrelated to diet or lifestyle.

The dollars raised at JDRF Walks enable research on how to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure T1D. This research has led to life-changing drugs, treatments, and devices, many of which have already moved into clinical trials and real-world testing. 

“We are excited to partner with JDRF for this Community Walk to fund type 1 diabetes research and support the families who live with this burdensome disease,” Eric Kinkead, general manager of Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Morgantown, said. “We are proud to be a part of a community that cares, and we hope that our teamwork and support will soon lead to a world without T1D.”

JDRF encourages people of all ages driven to support a great cause to participate in the JDRF Community Walk and enjoy a day of family-friendly fun, with music, food, and games. Pre-registration is recommended, and on-site check-in begins at 10 a.m. To pre-register, visit https://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=9317&pg=entry. The entire walk will be approximately one mile long (four times around the track and field).

For more information about JDRF, visit JDRF.org. For more information on WVU Medicine Children’s, visit WVUKids.com.