Over 70,000 people in Saskatchewan are affected by diabetes. For those people, a cure represents a chance at a regular life. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is dedicated to working to find a cause and a cure for type 1 diabetes. But that takes money and that's where the annual Yorkton-Melville JDRF walk comes in.
Slated for June 5, the Yorkton walk begins at the Gallagher Centre, with registration at 10:00 a.m. and the walk itself beginning at 11:00 a.m. Snacks will and rest stops will be provided along the way, and the walk will go to Boston Pizza, where lunch will be provided.
Melanie Czinkota with the walk says that the event is vital to raise funds, and since diabetes is a common disease it's easy to see how it affects people throughout the province and the world.
"One in ten people suffer from this, and it's a very common disease. Everyone I talk to knows someone who has it," says Czinkota.
Supporting the walk right now is also important because progress is being made towards a cure. Czinkota says that a cure for Type 1 Diabetes is in sight, and every dollar helps the research programs work towards making that cure a reality.
Czinkota knows first hand how Type 1 Diabetes affects people in their daily lives. Her own son has the disease, and she says it takes a large amount of preparation and monitoring to ensure he stays healthy.
"He has to watch what he eats very closely, he has to watch his carbs morning, noon and night. He has to give himself four shots of insulin a day, not to mention he has to constantly monitor his blood sugar. Of course, when you're 12, and you have hormones involved, blood sugar can go all over the map... It's a constant struggle," she relates.
Last year, the Yorkton-Melville walk raised over $25,000 for the cause, and Czinkota says that the goal this year is to beat that number. She hopes to see plenty of people getting involved and support the cause.
Pledge forms are available by calling Czinkota at 783-0324 or by calling Paul Lueck in Melville at 728-2705. There is also online registration and more information available at www.jdrf.ca/walk.
