On Wednesday, August 4, 2010 nearly 400 people with a connection to type 1 diabetes – including many JDRF East Bay volunteers and JDRF staff – enjoyed an exciting Kick Off event with the Oakland A’s, the official launch of the 2010 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. The day began with a series of lively presentations about JDRF and the Walk led by Stan Pachura. Stan has 2 important volunteer roles at JDRF: he is the East Bay Branch Board President and the Vice President of Walk on the Executive Board. Everyone received a cool T-shirt. If you missed it, we’re sorry. At the bottom of this post are some upcoming Kick Off events.
After the Kick Off it was time to visit MUG Root Beer float Day on the second floor. It seemed thousands of people were attended the event which included 40 float stations each with 3-4 servers such as A’s players, radio and television personalities, Oakland A’s wives and A’s Announcers, scooping ice cream and pouring MUG Root Beer. Proceeds will benefit JDRF but we have not yet heard the final tally. Special thanks to everyone who purchased a mug for the donation to JDRF. I hope you got some great autographs. I had a great time and enjoyed a MUG Root Beer float (thanks, Andrea).
Then at 12:30, just before the Oakland A’s took the field with for the singing of national anthem the Nick Jonas 2010 Walk to Cure Diabetes 30 second video (PSA) played on the Jumbotron. Then onto the field ran the players along with a dozen JDRF kids and each took his/her position next to their assigned player. It was awesome. The kids loved it and so did we (special thanks to Katy Coe.) I hope everyone enjoyed the winning game and hearing and seeing the special announcements. I hope it felt like a community.
Thank you from everyone at JDRF for registering for the Walk to Cure Diabetes, and especially your fundraising efforts. Walk fundraising is vital to JDRF’s research. The fundraising goal for Walk to Cure Diabetes is $90,000,000. Did you know that about half of JDRF’s annual public support comes from funds raised through the Walk and 85% of funds raised through walk are directed to research, the largest percentage of any JDRF fundraising event?
The Walk to Cure Diabetes is a fun-filled event for you and your friends and family and it builds camaraderie among co-workers. It’s also an uplifting and encouraging experience and an opportunity to be part of the diabetes community. It is a chance to take action, to step up to the plate and do something positive. Walk is the way to the cure!
We have several upcoming JDRF Kick Off events. These events are short, inspiring and held in some cool places. Who doesn’t have time for a one hour lunch meeting conveniently located throughout the Bay Area? You will be educated and inspired and receive plenty of information to help you build your Walk Team.
Please consider joining the 2010 Walk to Cure Diabetes and you will help JDRF find cures for diabetes and its complications. JDRF can not do it without you. Just select a kick off from the list below and RSVP.
Tuesday, August 17, San Francisco 12pm – 1:30pm
Jewish Contemporary Museum – RSVP
Wednesday, August 18, Pleasant Hill 12pm – 1:30pm
Back Forty Texas BBQ Restaurant – RSVP
Friday, August 20, San Jose 1:30pm – 3:30pm
San Jose Earthquakes Nutrilite Training Facility – RSVP
Saturday, August 21, Salinas 11:30pm – 1:00pm
Wild Things & Vision Quest – RSVP
Special thanks to Lisa Alejandra, Dean Alms, Zoe Francis, Loren Lingenfelter, Julie Kanel, Joelle Joseph, Stan Pachura, Steve Hendrickson, Rob Budinger, Michelle Lee, Jacob Partlow, Claire Bonelli, Rachael McConney, Roy Satterthwaite, Andrea Marozas, Mavie Mendelson and Luis Gonzales.
We would also like to thanks the Bank of America volunteers who kept the MUG Root beer Float stations well supplied. So our thanks to Alexis Wright, Khatira Sherzai, Shannon Gillespie, Liliana Zermeno, Kelisha Merrida, May Saephan, Sequoia Cooper, Mikaela San Pedro, Shannon Watkins, Christian Watkins, Kim Voyvodich, Amber Hafterson, Laleeka Murry, Hakeem Baptiste, Karen Medina, Shavon Dorsey, Ieisha Collins, Shamika Jones, Kevin Cline, Sherin Pourabedin, Stephanie Simotas, Katelyn Westbrook, Nicole Spatz, Robert McCrady, Vic Vickers, Seneca Boyd and Bridget Stagg. We could not have done it without you.
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