Pictured are Ben and Zach Cornell, both with type 1 diabetes. A JDRF “One Walk for a Cure” event will take place on Saturday at 2:45 pm in Bemus Point. Submitted photo
EMBLEM POINT – Type 1 diabetes is a disease that affects many people around the world and the cure for which is not yet known.
On Saturday, local families affected by the disease are hosting a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation “A Walk for a Cure” at 2:45 p.m. in Bemus Point. The event is being conducted with the proper COVID-19 precautions and the community is asked to come out and cheer on the local Type 1 diabetes families as they walk.
One of the organizers of the event, Lori Cornell, outlined the three main goals of the event: getting people on their way to support them; make other families with type 1 diabetes aware of the walk; and invite them to join and receive donations for finding a cure.
The hike starts at 2 p.m. at the Bemus Point Golf Course
“We have been fortunate to have already raised $ 30,000 from friends and family.” Said Cornell. “But if someone else is willing to donate, they can do so on my Facebook page or on Traci Thompson’s.”
Cornell also thanked Thompson, another event organizer, for their work, along with Bryce Steffan and his wife Rachel – the owners of the Bemus Point Golf Course – for hosting the event and the 20 type 1 diabetes families who lived at the Saturday will be attending.
Separate collection canisters are located on the Bemus Point Golf Course during the walk.
For many organizers, the walk is personal. Steffan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in adults a few years ago. Both Thompson and Cornell are type 1 diabetes mothers. Cornell is the parent of two children with the disease – their sons Ben and Zach.
Ben Cornell, 15, described the disease as challenging. “It really is a constant struggle” he said. “It never really goes away.”
He added that the Saturday walk means a lot to him because it increases awareness of the disease and, with the help of donations, brings the possibility of a cure closer to reality.
“I think walking is the best chance to reach our goal of finding a cure.” Said Ben Cornell.
For Lori Cornell, events are like that “One Walk” are critical to the future of people with type 1 diabetes and their families.
“As a mother with two Type 1 diabetic children, this research and the money from donations is critical to the future.” She said. “It really just shows the continued support needed to find a cure for this challenging disease and it can really make a difference.”
Anyone interested in a walk or making a donation can contact Lori Cornell at 720-1845.
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