JDRF Northwest Florida

Register Now for the Tallahassee Walk to Cure Diabetes!

REGISTER NOW!

Walk Contact: Please email Angie Dunlap or call her at (850) 728-3843 with any Walk related questions.

*Note to returning teams: Registration is easy! Simply choose to "re-create your team" from last year!

We are so thankful for YOU, our supporters and volunteers, in the Tallahassee area. As the New Year approaches, we are already getting into gear for the Walk to Cure Diabetes. Thank you in advance for your continued participation!

The 4th annual Walk to Cure Diabetes in Tallahassee is scheduled for Saturday, April 14 at Tallahassee Community College! Last year was a huge success, with over $40,000 raised to support our mission to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.

We hope you can be a part of the 2012 Walk to Cure Diabetes and help bring us one step closer to finding a cure for T1D.

At the Walk to Cure Diabetes on April 14, you will have a chance to win fabulous tables by purchasing one ticket for $1 or 6 tickets for $5 where all of the proceeds will benefit JDRF! Good luck!

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes Tallahassee Raffle Prize

Introducing our 2012 Champion Youth Ambassadors

	Riane Zhane Williams Age 5
Riane Z. Williams at the age of 3 was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes April 4, 2009, by the doctor's at the Florida Hospital in Orlando Florida. Originally, a planned trip for mom to work in the area for 12 days, that turned tragic and questionable and ended as one of the best family Disney Theme Park trips ever. Riane was always a healthy, active, vibrant child that immediately fell sick and questioning her own feelings and well being. Following the diagnosis, the family which was inclusive of dad, mom, grandparents, godparents and friends took on the responsibility to learn the daily routines that Type 1 Diabetes required. We were determined to support Riane in her new life's journey and to make sure she received a normal balanced lifestyle. Riane takes (4) four insulin shots a day and tests her blood sugar on average at least (5) five times a day, due to her active lifestyle for the love of sports. Riane is now 5 years old and attends Killearn Lakes Elementary School where she is a kindergarten student in Mrs. Leslie Frohlich's class. Riane's school has a team of great people to help manage her diabetes on a daily basis. Riane has never complained about her new lifestyle and responsibility being so young and is very mature on how she handles it. She continually teaches classmates, kids and adults that cross her path how important it is to manage diabetes, eat healthy and staying active in your environment. Riane is a loving, caring and smart girl that enjoys singing, swimming, and playing with friends. She would love to be a Doctor (Endocrinologist) and a Teacher when she grows up. She is the daughter of Curtis and Danielle Williams.
	Joseph "Joey" Claudio Age 4
Joey was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on June 7, 2011 at 3 years of age. Joey had been losing weight, not eating right, and drinking exorbitant amounts of water. On the third day after his health showed no improvement, he was taken to his primary care physician. The next day he was hospitalized with a blood sugar reading of 550. Joey and his family spent 3 days in the hospital getting Joey better as well as receiving a crash course in type 1 diabetes and diabetes management. Although the news was a shock and initially felt devastating, Joey barely flinched the first time his finger was pricked to check his sugar and continues to handle his diabetes like the brave little boy that he is. An avid fan of the movie "Cars," Joey refers to his blood sugar tests as "pit stops" and his insulin injections as "gas ups." Since Joey's diagnosis, his health has greatly improved, having finally received the insulin that his body so desperately needed but was unable to produce. Although his daily routine is drastically different than other kids in regard to continuous monitoring of his blood sugar and a more rigorous eating schedule, Joey is still a very active and happy 4 year old boy.

Our 2012 Walk Champion Endocrinologist

Kristin Harmon, M.D.

Dr. Harmon was born and raised in Tallahassee. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from The Florida State University. She continued her education by attending medical school at The University of Florida and doing her Internal Medicine Residency and Endocrinology Fellowship at The University of Colorado in Denver. Dr. Harmon says, "We decided to move back to Tallahassee because I think it is a wonderful place to raise my own family and a great community in which to work. I chose the field of Endocrinology because I find it fascinating and I can really help people and change their lives."

JDRF Receives Gift of $1,000!

Russell Canter and his dad received a check for $1,000 on behalf of JDRF Northwest Florida from Jim Kellum and the organizers of the annual Havana Pumpkin Festival. Russell is a co-youth ambassador for the 2011 Tallahassee Walk to Cure Diabetes.

Mr. Kellum's daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over 40 years ago. Local youth ambassadors and their parents have been invited to participate in the Havana Pumpkin Festival for the past several years to raise funds and awareness about diabetes. Each year Festival organizers have donated a generous portion of the proceeds to JDRF.

In the photo: Russell Canter and his dad receive a check for $1,000 on behalf of JDRF from Jim Kellum of the Havana Pumpkin Festival.