Philadelphia JDRF One Walk was PHANTASTIC!

By Kate Wickersham

V1Ps had a private meeting with the man, ehem, the monster, uhhh…well not exactly.  Philly’s own Phanatic joined our JDRF Philly Phamilies on the Art Museum Steps on October 26.  He took photos with V1Ps, danced with our T1Ds and thanked our fundraisees!

Families and Corporations raised the bar by increasing their funding and decorating our new Top Team Tents!  A Big Thank you goes out to Harmelin Family Team, Cohn Sisters:  Mackenzie’s Miracle Makers and Sydney’s Superstars, Brian’s Pride, Harmelin Media, Team Johnny!, LIBBY’S LOCOMOTION, Urban Athlete, Korman Residential, Champions for A Cure and Harper’s Angels for decorating your tents and showing your JDRF spirit.  The tents are the place to be so get your funding in early next year for the walk so we can see YOU in the Top Tent Row.

Sponsors like Deloitte bring their corporate dollars, contacts, families and yes FUN!!  Deloitte is one member of our important JDRF Family that has made turning Type one into Type None into a full circle activity.  They have supported JDRF and our Families in many ways and raised the bar.  THANK YOU!  Speaking of raising the bar… how about our teams that SURPASSED THEIR GOALS?!!  It is true.  Teams were setting goals and SMASHING THEM!  Can we give a hand to Campbell’s Troop,  The Three Shooting Stars, Team Gibby: Turn Down For Diabetes, Nicole’s Team, Measure 4 A Cure, SENDHEROFF TO FIND A CURE and all of our teams who PH-lew past their goals!

Speaking of flying, we have quite a story here in Philadelphia.  SENDHEROFF TO FIND A CURE is a JDRF Philly family team.  From the West Coast to the East Coast, yes, shore to shining shore… that is what this Philadelphia family did to bring together their family and to support the mission that is so near and dear to them.  Family and friends from all over the U.S. utilized Facebook to send birthday wishes and then the family came here to our Art Museum steps at the JDRF One Walk to celebrate birthdays, beat T1D and be together.  The Sendheroff family created a video to describe their story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxIet6Rys0c.

Volunteers, calling all volunteers!  We CANNOT HAVE THE JDRF ONE WALK WITHOUT YOU.  PERIOD.  Thank you is not enough for your time, efforts and generosity of spirit.  You are what made the JDRF One Walk happen.  Without you Dan and Lily would STILL be putting up tables.  Kate wouldn’t be finished calling families until Spring Break without those Family Team Coaches!  Michelle and Lindsay would be stuffing envelopes to the sponsors and corporate teams well into the New Year.  Alix and Tiffany would have quite a backup at registration and Theresa would be speaking and singing alone on the stage!

Your JDRF Staff was beyond thrilled to join you.  They wanted nothing more than to say THANK YOU PHILADELPHIA WALKERS!  You bring our Chapter and JDRF one step closer to the finish line.  Thank you for letting your staff be a small part of YOUR DAY.

Bucks County Welcomes JDRF Staff with Open Arms and Chilly Winds

By Kate Wickersham

November 2nd brought many of our JDRF Bucks County Families to the scenic paths at the Bucks County Community College.  Led by JDRF One Walk Champion Michelle Dorfman, our JDRF Teams took on the chilly, windy weather and T1D!  Overcast skies and threats of rain can’t keep them from Walking ON!  Our Top Teams decorated their tents, walkers brought in tons of research dollars and someone even invited Super Heroes.

Team Q-e, Dominic’s Dynasty, Braydon’s Caped Crusaders, Brett’s Band and Riley’s Rooters were joined at the starting line by U.S. Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick.  The music played and the cheerleaders cheered as YOU took to the walk path!  Your determination to put an end to type 1 diabetes was apparent as you made your way along the 5K route and crossed the finish line running, dancing and laughing.  T1D will NOT win.  Many were greeted by T1D man and celebrated the hard work that goes into funding the research that WILL turn Type One into Type None!

Your JDRF staff was beyond thrilled to join you.  They wanted nothing more than to say THANK YOU BUCKS COUNTY WALKERS!  You bring our Chapter and JDRF one step closer to the finish line.  We appreciate your advocacy, your voice, your story, your fundraising and your support.  Thank you for letting your staff be a small part of YOUR DAY.