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A talk with Mary Hunter, executive director of the Greater Iowa Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The group’s 2011 Walk to Cure Diabetes is April 9 in Des Moines. To learn more, call (515) 986-1512 or visit JDRF.org/greateriowa.
1 If the shoe fits, buy it.
“During the month of February, buy sneakers at your local Casey’s General Store to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Or, visit Dahl’s in April to purchase more sneakers,” Mary Hunter says.
2 We walk, rain or shine.
“Since the walk is in the Des Moines skywalk system, weather doesn’t matter,” Hunter says.
3 It’s family friendly.
After the walk, free inflatables, music and entertainment will be at the Polk County Convention Complex. “It’s important to support the children who have Type 1 diabetes,” Hunter says. “It allows them camaraderie. It gives them the opportunity to meet other kids and see that they’re not alone.”
4 Iowans step up to support us.
“Around 9,000 people from all over the state are expected to attend the walk,” Hunter says. About 175,000 Iowans have diabetes. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the leading funder of Type 1 diabetes research in the world, she says.
5 Corporate participation helps us make strides.
Corporate involvement is important to meet the walk’s $1.5 million fundraising goal. James A. Israel, president of John Deere Financial, is this year’s corporate walk chairman. “Each year, we ask one of our corporate leaders to be our walk chairperson,” Hunter says. “There are a lot of employees in the different corporations in Des Moines who have been touched by diabetes, and they love that their companies are involved in the community. The morale it creates is immeasurable. It’s pretty cool.”
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Every week, Iowa business leaders and specialists offer “five things” to give insight into their work and life. E-mail kcraig@dmreg.com to nominate an executive.
