The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) holds walks annually nation wide to help raise money to find a cure for juvenile diabetes. This year there have been 200 walks with over 500,000 people in total that have walked for the organization.

Juvenile Diabetes is Type 1 diabetes or also called insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a life-long disease for which there is not yet a cure. The beta cells of the pancreas produce little or no insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter body cells. Once glucose enters a cell, it is used as fuel. Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it usually starts in people younger than 30. The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is not known. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 3% of all new cases of diabetes each year.

The three-mile walk was held Sept. 17 at Walt’s grocery store in Dyer. Many people came, despite the rain, to help out for this great cause.

“The walk was perfect. If it was longer I wouldn’t want to be there because it was raining. If it was any shorter then it wouldn’t be worth it,” said senior Amanda Warren, co-president of the National Honors Society.

This year, National Honors Society had participated to not only help out other children with type 1 diabetes including Chrissy Rybicki, substitute teacher Mrs. Arlene Rybicki’s daughter. Twenty-four NHS members attended, including sponsor Mrs. Nancy Crooks and Mrs. Rybicki from the staff. This is the first year that the NHS has participated.

“This was our first year doing this. People approached about the walk and we said sure,” said Mrs. Crooks.

They also had a car wash earlier in the year for juvenile diabetes, which was very successful. They raised $616 in addition to individual donations from many different people, some of whom raised money on their own. In total, they sent an $800 dollar check from the car wash to the organization.

“Mrs. Rybicki’s daughter has juvenile diabetes so we did this for her,” said Mrs. Crooks.

The walk had turned out to be a great success with $1800 raised. Some people backed out because of the weather, but others enjoyed the fun time.

“Many people didn’t come because of the rain, but many still showed up with enthusiasm and had a good time,” said Warren.

The NHS will not be doing anything else this year for that organization, but they are thinking about doing a lot more next school year. To donate to the “Chrissy’s Crusaders” then you can see Mrs. Rybicki.