On behalf of the JDRF New England Chapter, we are reaching out to provide you with an update related to the 2017 Walk season.

As you know, this year’s JDRF One Walk Boston is taking place on Saturday, September 30 at the DCR Hatch Shell.  JDRF is fortunate to have a longstanding arrangement with the DCR Hatch Shell to hold our Walk on the last Saturday before Columbus Day, prior to its closure for the season. As you may be aware, regretfully this year the Boston Walk falls on Yom Kippur.  We truly apologize, as holding the event on this date is inconsistent with the values of JDRF.  We know that this conflict is preventing some of our dedicated Walk teams and walkers from participating that day.

Please know that the JDRF New England staff and board of directors engaged in a months-long process to investigate viable, alternative options that would accommodate a Walk of this size on a different date—including a change in venue.  The DCR Hatch Shell does not have availability due to other annual events, and unfortunately we were not able to identify other appropriate venues that can accommodate a fall Walk for JDRF’s expected 10,000 participants.

It was our hope that our efforts would yield a solution that would be inclusive of all of our constituents and we again offer our sincerest apologies to the individuals and families who are affected.  Please know how difficult this process has been.  We hope that you understand that we have exhausted every alternative and have decided that at this time, it is in the best interest of JDRF’s mission to move ahead with the intended Boston Walk date of September 30.

We are thankful for the understanding and ongoing generous support of our community and appreciate the flexibility of those impacted who will participate instead in one of our other area Walk sites in Lancaster, MA on October 1, New Bedford, MA on October 14, or East Greenwich, RI on October 15.  We are also grateful to those who have found other ways to make an impact and remain connected to the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community and to JDRF.

We value our constituency and the diversity of our T1D family and its commitment and generosity.  We at JDRF remain steadfast in our resolve to create a world without T1D.  Please contact us at 781-431-0700 or newengland@jdrf.org with any questions or concerns or to find out how to become involved.

We wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!

Sincerely,

Lisa F. Wallack                                                                                           Amy Montalto
President—JDRF New England Chapter Board of Directors           Executive Director—JDRF New England
Member—JDRF International Board of Directors