Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) Hosts Walk & “Walk-toberfest” at Triad Park on October 26

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Breakthrough T1D (formerly “JDRF”) Hosts Piedmont Triad Walk and “Walk-toberfest,” presented by HICAPS, at Triad Park on Saturday, October 26

Led by Walk Champions Cecelia and Fred McPhail and their daughters Grace and Miriam, this fundraiser—and friend-raiser—celebrates the strength of all people affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D)

 

Greensboro, North Carolina, October 24, 2024. Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, is hosting its Piedmont Triad Walk and Walk-toberfest on Saturday, October 26, at Triad Park’s Amphitheater in Kernersville. The Walk is presented by HICAPS, whose president, Dan Hood, has lived with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for more than 40 years and has witnessed tremendous progress—led by Breakthrough T1D—over that time.

In keeping with the organization’s new name, the theme for the event is Breaking through type 1 diabetes, which participants are using to jumpstart their fundraising efforts and spark their creativity as they design their Walk Team t-shirts.

Funds raised at the Walk support research for curing, preventing, and treating T1D. The day will be a celebration of T1D Warriors—of all ages—who are living with this disease.

The event will include the Opening Ceremony at 9:30 am, the Walk at 10:30 am, and Walk-toberfest—with family activities, food trucks, entertainment on the Amphitheater stage, and the Fiddlin’ Fish Brewery Beer Garden—running from noon to 3 pm.

During the Opening Ceremony, all participants with type 1 (whether they were diagnosed last week or 70 years ago) may take part in a T1D Warrior Procession, while all attendees may march across the stage in a t-shirt parade, play games, enjoy kids’ activities, meet T1D pharma and medical technology reps, and learn about Breakthrough T1D’s recent research advancements and advocacy efforts.

Participants may walk any distance—from less than a quarter-mile to a full 5K (3.1 miles). Along the Walk route, they’ll find the “HICAPS History Hunt” at the Carolina Field of Honor. Everyone who completes the history quiz will be entered into a prize drawing.

The schedule includes (everything takes place at the Amphitheater):

  • 9 am                Check-in opens, along with T1D vendors and kids’ activities
  • 9:30 am            Opening Ceremony, including:
        • 9:45 am            T1D Advocacy Update
        • 9:50 am            T1D Research Update
        • 10:00 am          T1D Warrior Procession, recognizing all participants with type 1
        • 10:10 am          Team T-shirt/Costume Parade
        • 10:25 am          Warm-up, led by O2 Fitness
  • 10:30 am          Walk 
  • Noon               Walk-toberfest, featuring the Fiddlin’ Fish Beer Garden
        • Music by:
          • The New Strange
          • Mistura
          • Blue Ginger
          • Wolfgang A Cappella
        • Food trucks
          • Pop Goes the Waffle
          • Johnny D’s Cuisine

The morning will be led by 2024 Breakthrough T1D Piedmont Triad Walk Champions Cecelia and Fred McPhail and their daughters Grace (16) and Miriam (14). Grace was diagnosed with T1D in 2015—just a week after her eighth birthday. The family’s entire way of life changed in an instant. As soon as they came home from several days in the hospital, Cecelia and Fred began counting carbs, pricking Grace’s tiny fingers, and giving her multiple insulin injections every day.

Grace created the Grace’s Gold Stars Walk Team in 2016. Over the years, she has loved seeing her various communities—school friends, teammates, and fellow service club members, along with her extended family—come together to support T1D breakthroughs. As a teenager, Grace still loves Walk Day, as does her younger sister, Miriam.

Cecelia summed up her family’s T1D journey: “As we look back at the progress made since that scary Sunday night in the ER almost nine years ago, we are amazed at what Breakthrough T1D has accomplished so far. And we are so excited about the future. Together, we will turn Type One into Type None!”

Individuals, businesses, and teams still have time to participate in—or donate to—the Breakthrough T1D Piedmont Triad Walk & Walk-toberfest by visiting tinyurl.com/TriadT1DWalk2024 or calling Market Director Eleanor Schaffner-Mosh at 336-209-2269.

2024 Breakthrough T1D Piedmont Triad Walk & Walk-toberfest Sponsors: Breakthrough T1D thanks Corporate Chair Scott Clements, CFO – Kernersville Chrysler Dodge, and our sponsors, many of whom have supported diabetes research for years.

Presenting Sponsors

  • HICAPS
  • FOX8 – WGHP

National Series Sponsor: Ford (and local dealerships)

  • County Ford
  • Crescent Ford
  • Crossroads Ford
  • Green Ford
  • Parkway Ford
  • Piedmont Truck Center
  • Stearns Ford

Breakthrough Sponsors

  • Glen Raven
  • HealthTeam Advantage
  • Highlands Residential Mortgage
  • Ralph Lauren

Empowerment Sponsors

  • Fox Rothschild
  • HanesBrands

About Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone that controls blood-sugar levels. T1D develops when the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells are mistakenly destroyed by the body’s immune system. The cause of this attack is still being researched; however, scientists believe the cause may have genetic and environmental components. T1D affects children and adults, and people can be diagnosed at any age. As of now, there is nothing anyone can do to prevent T1D, and there is no cure.

About Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF): Founded in 1970 by families whose loved ones had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), Breakthrough T1D is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501©3 organization. As the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, we help make everyday life better while driving toward cures. We are opening doors that were once closed by a T1D diagnosis. We lead the way to more effective solutions by connecting the brightest minds to advance treatments, influence policy, and improve access to care.​ By driving innovation forward, we will make T1D a thing of the past. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement, and our vision of a world without T1D. Learn more at breakthrought1d.org.

About Breakthrough T1D in the Piedmont Triad: Now part of Breakthrough T1D’s North Carolina Chapter, the Piedmont Triad Market provides support for those living with type 1 diabetes, advocates at the U.S. Federal level, and raises awareness and funds for T1D research through a variety of events, including the annual Hope Gala; the Breakthrough T1D Piedmont Triad Walk; the Breakthrough T1D Ride cycling program; and the Breakthrough T1D Run program. Learn more at facebook.com/BreakthroughT1DNC.