Jim’s Supply, CO. Inc.
Presents the
Bakersfield Branch of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
12th Annual “Walk to Cure Diabetes”

The Bakersfield Council of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is gearing up for it’s 12th annual 5k “Walk to Cure Diabetes” on Saturday November 7, 2009 in Yokuts Park. Over 2,500 people are expected to walk, run and bike to raise money for diabetes research.

Free family activities: bounce houses, rock climbing wall, local entertainment, dancing to Chesterfield King and the Sultans of Swings, free continental breakfast and lunch for all walkers and volunteers. Registration for the walk is at 8am and the walk begins at 9:15am sharp. Last year the Bakersfield Chapter raised over $225,000 for diabetes research and this year’s goal is $250,000.
 
Over 24 million Americans live with diabetes and its complications. As many as 194 million people are afflicted worldwide with diabetes..  Diabetes kills one American every three minutes. Recent studies have shown that diabetes accounted for more than $132 billion in annual health care costs the US. Insulin is only life support. It is not a cure.  

In Kern County JDRF has been a presence for over 12 years.  It is estimated that at least 7% of the total county population has diabetes.  The Annual Walk for a Cure for Diabetes has raised over 1.7 million dollars for diabetes research since 1997 for both type 1 and type 2  diabetes. JDRF –Bakersfield, host monthly and bi- monthly support groups for teens, kids and their families. Hundreds of “Bags of Hope” have been distributed to newly diagnosed families. All materials are available in both Spanish and English.    Each year JDRF sponsors a free Day camp and away camp for type 1 and type 2 kids.

The Honorary Walk Chair for the 2009 walk, are all Kern County residents that are diabetic. Sponsors for this year’s walk include: Presenting Sponsor:  Jim’s Supply, Co, Inc.  Platinum Sponsors: The Diane S. Lake Family, Gold Sponsor: Mary Cruz Realty Silver Sponsors:   Bank of America, Chevron, , Performance Electric and Pro’s Ranch Markets   Lunch Sponsor: The Ben H. and Gladys Arkelian, Klein, Denatale and Goldner, David Carr Family and the Bakersfield Chapter of the Links, Inc. Bronze Sponsors: Baker-Hughes, Haddad –Bashirtash, Del-Taco, SEIU 521.  Media Sponsors: San Joaquin Community Hospital, , Buckley Radio Group, KGET, Channel 17 and KKEY, Telumudo.

To help us fund a cure for Diabetes, please visit one of our Sneaker Sale Locations:

• Pro’s Ranch Markets
• Del Taco
• Lassen’s Health Foods
• El Tejon Pharmacies
• All Post Net
• Lee’s Pharmacies
• Ming & H Pharmacies
• Walgreens    

JDRF, the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide, was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with juvenile diabetes- a disease which strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin-dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since inception, JDRF has provided more than $910 million in direct funding to diabetes research. More that 85 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research related education. JDRF’s mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more information, on the walk, visit the JDRF website at JDRF-Bakersfield.org or call 661-636-1305.