Do it
To make the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes a success, participants and volunteers are encouraged to get involved by Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. Walks are planned in Lisle, Schaumburg and along the Chicago lakefront and other Illinois routes Sunday, Oct. 2. “We have about 30,000 walkers across the six locations; we generate about $5 million through the walk,” says Nicolette Coorlas, director of the annual event. This fall’s will be the first one since the death of Cubs great Ron Santo, following a long battle with diabetes that ended in December. “It’s kind of bittersweet,” Coorlas says. “We’re honored to continue his legacy, and hope that people really make an effort this year to make it a special one in his honor.” Santo had led the walk for 32 years, championing the cause.
Whom it helps
It is the mission of JDRF International to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Among its numerous services, the Illinois chapter offers networking get-togethers related to Type 1 diabetes in the western suburbs, including the Fox Valley’s Tri-Cities and Sandwich, and in the Downers Grove and Darien area.
How to help
People can help the walk by assisting with setup the day before the Sunday fundraiser, and the day of the event. “We’re looking for people to share their time and talent,” Coorlas says. “We would need about 100 volunteers at each walk location to assist us with the unloading of trucks, hanging signage, working in our registration tent, greeting our walkers, working as safety patrols along the walk route. We require a lot of helping hands.” People can visit the Website to register as walkers or to donate on behalf of participants. Other ways to help JRDF Illinois range from pitching in on office tasks to serving as mentors or working on a variety of benefit events.
