The healthcare companies Medtronic and Lilly have become national presenting sponsors of the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.
The walks, launched in 1992, have raised more than $1bn for diabetes research, and are seen as JDRF’s flagship fundraising programme.
This is the first time the JDRF has agreed such a sponsorship, which will help the charity fund type 1 diabetes research to the tune of half a million dollars. Medtronic and Lilly will also host educational booths at select local events and will work with their employees to form walk teams at each location.
“The JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes is about communities coming together to make a difference for people with type 1 diabetes,” said Margo K. Lucero, JDRF’s vice president of corporate development. “We are incredibly grateful to have Medtronic and Lilly, and their employees, on our team.”
“By sponsoring the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes with Lilly Diabetes, we’re thrilled to be working with two organizations that share our dedication to diabetes education and community support,” said Nancy Katz, vice president of consumer marketing for the diabetes business unit at Medtronic.
Mike Mason, vice president, US, Lilly Diabetes, echoed Katz’s sentiments: “Every day we strive to support people with diabetes. Sponsoring the walks will provide support the day of the walk and for years to come by helping JDRF further its important work in diabetes research and advocacy.”
The announcement was made on T1Day, November 1, set up by JDRF to help educate the public about type 1 diabetes, including the signs and symptoms, life with the disease, and differences between type 1 and type 2. This was also the first day of National Diabetes Awareness Month (NDAM) in the US.
More than 200 JDRF Walks are held every year worldwide.