JDRF Sets One Walk Great Escape for Saturday, May 11
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 -- JDRF (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Northeastern New York Chapter, the local branch of the national non-profit organization dedicated to type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, are teaming up again for this year’s One Walk Great Escape.
One of the largest fundraising walks in the northeast, the event will take place at the popular Queensbury theme park on Saturday, May 11, the park’s opening weekend.
“We are thrilled to return to The Great Escape,” said JDRF Development Manager Danielle Unser Slater. “The park is such a fun, family friendly location and an ideal site for our walkers, volunteers and sponsors to gather and fundraise to support critically needed T1D research and create a world without T1D. The Great Escape’s iconic lineup of thrills and entertainment offer tremendous value to our participants and create a fun, memorable day.
“Last year, 1,600 participants raised $411,000. This year we are hoping to recruit 2,000 walkers who will raise more than $514,000,” she added. “Eighty cents of every dollar raised will support JDRF’s mission, which is to treat, prevent and ultimately find a cure. Monies will fund more than 75 human clinical trials of potential T1D therapies. These investments support the development of next-generation therapies like artificial pancreas technology, beta cell replacement, and smart insulin that can turn on and off in response to blood sugar levels.”
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 11 a.m. The route meanders through the park and ends back at the pavilion where lunch is served to all walkers. The festivities include a Kid’s Zone, photo booth station, DJ, jumbotron, magician, and refreshments courtesy of SYSCO Albany.
“In order to maximize funds raised for T1D research, walkers who raise $100 or more will receive free park admission and our commemorative One Walk t-shirt,” explained Unser Slater. “For those who don’t reach that threshold, discount admission coupons will be available to use on walk day. Walkers who opt not to go into the park because they didn’t raise the $100, don’t want to purchase a ticket, or simply choose not to, may return to their car and carry on with their day. We look at going to the park as an added incentive, especially since a ticket to the Great Escape on any other day costs around $60.”
“Being a mother of a healthy child is a hard-enough job,” Unser Slater noted. “However, being a mom of a child with T1D offers a whole different level of stress. You need to test blood sugar levels around the clock, give insulin for meals, count carbs, check on daily supplies, carry diabetes bags, fill prescriptions, visit the doctor, and the list goes on. These mothers deserve to be celebrated for everything they do to care for their children.”
Participants who raise $1,000 or more will be assigned V1P status, giving them access to the V1P area, an exclusive V1P lanyard, front-of-the-line ride access, as well as a free go-cart or sky coaster ride!
"Six Flags Great Escape Resort is extremely excited to partner with JDRF again this year, and we are thrilled to help them reach their annual fundraising goal,” said Six Flags Great Escape Communications Supervisor Jason Lee. “JDRF is a passionate nonprofit organization that funds T1D research through these donations, and we are enthusiastic to be a part of this generous event each year."
Event parking is free. A discount room block is also available at Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark. JDRF participants should use code “GES.”
For more information and to register, visit walk.jdrf.org/GreatEscape or call (518) 477-2873. VIDEO: Watch the WNYT-13 interview here.
Sponsors include The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, Swagelok, CAP COM Federal Credit Union, Sysco Albany, Hoffman Car Wash & Jiffy Lube, and Exyte.
About T1D
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing you can do to get rid of it.
About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF