Walk To Cure Diabetes

Join us for the 2012 Walk to Cure Diabetes on March 24 at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. This year’s Walk theme is “The Greatest Walk on Earth,” and it certainly will be the greatest! Getting involved is so much fun and we encourage you to check out our Family Team Resources and Corporate Team Resources to learn how to get started, to fundraise for your team and to find more information on our t-shirt contest.

The Walk is designed to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as the mission of the Foundation to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of research. The JDRF Walk hosts a variety of family and corporate walk teams that want to make a difference in the lives of millions hoping for a cure of this disease. In the past, we have had the wonderful support of organizations, companies, sponsors and families who are committed helping JDRF take greater steps toward a cure.

Entire families enjoy participating in the Walk to Cure Diabetes–and supporting their loved ones, even if they are not among the 24 million Americans with a personal connection to type 1 diabetes. Each year, JDRF provides great entertainment including; live music, face-painting, bounce houses, carnival games and delicious food for the Walkers–all completely donated!

Click here to register online to walk, donate to a registered walker, or log back into your account as a registered walker.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at (904) 739-2101 or email us.

Join National Chairman Nick Jonas in the Walk to Cure Diabetes!

2012 Corporate Chairman

Mark Snailham

JDRF is excited to have Mark Snailham on board as Corporate Chairman for the 2012 Walk to Cure Diabetes! Mr. Snailham currently serves as Vice President of Rail Services for Balfour Beatty Rail, Inc. He joined the company in 1996 as part of an acquisition after the privatization of British Railways. Responsibilities of his position include overseeing 350 full-time employees within the Rail Services Division of Balfour Beatty Rail, Inc., as well as serving both national freight railroads and over 350 private short line railroads across the United States.

Before joining Balfour Beatty Rail, Inc., Mr. Snailham served as the Permanent Way Engineer for 5 years at London Bridge Station, one of the busiest London interchanges with over 1500 passenger trains each day, before relocating to the US in 2001. Overall, Mr. Snailham has 30+ years of experience within the Rail Industry.

Mr. Snailham holds an MSc. in Engineering from the University of Sheffield. He currently serves as a member on the Board of Directors for the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC), and has been a Member of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) since 2002.

Personally, Mr. Snailham has been married to his wife, Vikki, for over 28 years and is a proud father of 3 children; Luke (26), Adam (24), and Nina (22). He has two American dogs, Mitch and Mille. Mr. Snailham joined his dogs by gaining American Citizenship in June 2010!

2012 Youth Ringleaders

Alanna Yates

My name is Alanna Yates and I am 8 years old and I attend Promise Land Academy. I was 7 years old when I was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes. My mommy took me to the doctor because I was using the bathroom a lot and was tired all the time. I was scared and unhappy when I found out I had diabetes. My older brother also has diabetes and I did not like the shots. Now I am ok with it…Mommy says I am not sick that I just have to eat a little differently than others in my class. When I grow up I want to be a nurse who treats diabetic kids so I can help them in the hospital when they first are diagnosed. That is a very scary time especially for a kid. I want a cure for diabetes so I can sleep in when I want to and be able to go to birthday parties and sleepovers without having to count "carbs." One day a cure will be found and I will be happy and so will all the other children who have it. Team Alanna says, "Make us smile and find a cure!"

Rachel Pinter

My name is Rachel Pinter and I am 12 years old. I am in the 6th grade at Providence School and go to Beach United Methodist Church. The hobbies and sports I like are tennis, guitar, dancing, singing, swimming, surfing and karate. I also volunteer with the 3 year olds at my church and am very active with my youth group. I sponsor a girl named Maria in South America through Compassion International and support the orphanage at Okoa Refuge in Central Africa. I was diagnosed on January 14, 2011 with Type 1 Diabetes. It has been a huge challenge to learn how to deal with my diabetes but I am determined not to let it stop me from doing anything I want to do. I am also determined to do everything I can to raise money so that a cure can be found. I want to live a long and healthy life, have children and grandchildren as well as help other kids with diabetes to do the same. I can't wait for the day that I don't have to check my blood 8-10 times a day, when I can just eat anything I want without calculating and dosing my insulin, not wonder if I am going to go high or low at school and just be a kid. Please help my team "Rachel's Soaring Eagles" and JDRF raise money and help people understand that we must do everything possible to find a cure.

2012 Champion Endocrinologist

Dr. John Gary Evans

With the heart of researcher and the skill of a highly trained physician, Dr. Evans has dozens of clinical trials under his belt as Northeast Florida Endocrine & Diabetes Associates' (NEFEDA) Principal Investigator. Dr. Evans joined NEFEDA in 1998, five years after joining the Jacksonville community as a local practitioner. He has been practicing for over 20 years. He has been married for over 21 years and has three daughters. Dr. Evans earned his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. (Go Terps!) Known for his kindness and genuine desire to listen to his patients, Dr. Evans has been a trusted part of so many patients' lives. He loves what he does and it shows.

Dr. Evans enjoys tennis and fishing but perhaps his greatest love is chess. Winning at chess and helping patients involves having an expert strategy. Dr. Evans patients will be the first to tell you that his individualized plans make an immense difference in their lives.

Thank you for making our 2011 Walk a record-breaking event!

Last year, the Walk was a record-breaking event for our Chapter. With over 8,000 participants involved and over $620,000 raised for type 1 diabetes research, it is YOU who we’d like to thank for helping us surpass our goals. We would not have as successful without your generosity and so we are asking for your continued support in 2012 to take us above and beyond.

Please click here to view photos from the 2011 event.