Saturday June 8, 2024 – Albemarle High School
The University of Virginia Center for Diabetes Technology partnered with local volunteers to plan the 2024 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Community Walk in Charlottesville. Many people in the Charlottesville community and beyond have been touched by Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and we are working together to raise support to find a cure. The efforts made will fund scientific breakthroughs to make living with T1D easier to manage. For the first time in our history, there is a clear path to cures for T1D and our support will drive as many of these therapies to the market as quickly as possible.
The event took place at the Albemarle High School on Saturday, June 8th, 2024. It was a beautiful sunny morning in Charlottesville to enjoy a one mile walk around the track. Walk Chair, Anna Passero, started the event off with an inspirational story of how her and her family have been impacted by T1D, as both her husband and one of her children are living with the disease. JDRF Mid-Atlantic Chapter representative, Ryan Lightner, shared that earlier this month JDRF has recently rebranded and will be known as Breakthrough T1D moving forward. Over the past 50 years, the understanding of T1D has evolved. What was once diagnosed as “juvenile diabetes” is now diagnosed as “type 1 diabetes” and can impact children and adults alike.
Positive Impacts
The Charlottesville Community Walk raised over $25,700 dollars, surpassing our goal of $20,000! Ryan Lightner also shared that this year’s Mid-Atlantic walks have collectively raised over $1.3 Million dollars and over $30 Million nationwide! Over 150 people attended and participated in the walk. Children enjoyed face painting, beaded bracelet making, and coloring. Local bagel shop, Bodo’s Bagels, donated bagels to the event and local food truck, Buzzing Bee Coffee Co., provided delicious tea and coffee drinks. Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who donated and attended the event. See you next year!