By Alyssa Hillman

On October 25th, the Southern Arizona Branch kicked off National Diabetes Awareness Month early with their annual Walk to Cure Diabetes Celebrating Ron Santo for JDRF. Over 2,000 walkers and more than 20 vendors and sponsors gathered in Tucson at Rillito Park that Saturday morning, ready for a great time while supporting JDRF.

With the crowd hyped up by John Overall of KVOA, they were eager to see the event’s performers- the “All About That Cure” girls! These girls have been an internet sensation – viewed in multiple countries with 26,000 YouTube views and interviewed by local media throughout the state of Arizona.

After months of raising money, over 80 teams came together to take part in their community’s goal of raising $215,000. Funds raised from the Walk support research to end type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Christina’s Champions For A Cure, a team put together by the Tellez family, decided to raise their money in a different fashion than they have the past 10 years. Christina Tellez, 12, was diagnosed with T1D when she was just 18-months-old.

“Our very first walk was on Nov. 6 when she turned two-years-old, it was actually on her second birthday” said Christina’s mother, Annamarie.

In past years, Christina left the fundraising to her parents, but this year she took matter into her own hands. She painted a canvas and raffled it off to raise the money for her team. Christina sold tickets for $5 to family, friends and teachers. After selling 120 tickets, she had already raised $600. To help complete her set goal, Christina’s family and friends donated another $400.

This inspiring 12-year-old managed to raise $1,000 through telling her classmates and posting her beautiful picture on social media, and through the support of her community.This year, Christina’s Champions For A Cure was made up of 25 members including family and classmates.

Christina was able to complete the 5K walk with the support of those around her, and her trusty “testing purse” she never leaves home without!