Nearly 6,000 Long Islanders "walked for the cure" yesterday at SUNY College at Old Westbury, the second of three walks scheduled by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on Long Island this year.
The two-mile walk, sponsored by more than a dozen companies, aimed to raise $1 million for diabetes research and had raised half that amount before the event started, according to Barbara Rogus, executive director of the foundation. The first walk, held two weeks ago in the pouring rain in Belmont, drew an equally large crowd and raised close to the same amount, she said. The third walk will occur Nov. 1 at Suffolk Community College.
In the brisk autumn morning, children with juvenile diabetes gathered with their families and friends to help the cause. Among them was Elizabeth Cunningham, whose team "Lizzie's Leprechauns" amassed more than $2,000 last year and aimed to do so again.
Cunningham, 11, of Garden City, was diagnosed four years ago after a lacrosse game left her overwhelmingly fatigued and parched. A year later, she was also diagnosed with Celiac disease, a common associate of diabetes.
"These children are so beautiful, and no one sees the war that is raging within their bodies," said a tearful Rogus, whose husband, Dick, was diagnosed with diabetes 30 years ago, which has led to heart attacks, strokes and vision loss. "Back then, all they could do was give you a shot."
Rogus said that in her seven years leading the organization she has seen significant growth in the event as well as in the technological advances in diabetes treatment.
Such advances are most evident in the lives of children and parents who struggle daily, like 7-year-old Danny Anest of Huntington. Anest was diagnosed three years ago after a sudden onset of symptoms during Christmas vacation in Florida.
Gloria Anest, Danny's mother, became suspicious when he began experiencing frequent thirst. He drank bottle after bottle of water, which led to urination during sleep. Days later, when the family returned home from Florida, a urine test found his blood sugar level was much higher than normal.
Danny was initially on a regimen of as many as five daily injections of insulin. Today, he uses a wireless insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor. Such advances make it easier to track blood-sugar levels and to distribute insulin without needles.
According to Ellen Marcus, an attorney from East Rockaway and a member of the board of directors for the diabetes foundation's Long Island chapter, these technological improvements are a direct result of the money these walks bring in.
"I've seen the money that's raised. I've seen the technology it creates," said Marcus. "And I've seen the direct effect it has on the lives of these children." To see more of Newsday, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsday.com Copyright (c) 2008, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.