Welcome to the FINAL One Walk Team Spotlight! We’ve already highlighted six Family Teams and, with the six Illinois One Walks this Sunday, here is the seventh installment of our seven-part Walk Team Spotlight series! We are highlighting one JDRF One Walk team each week between August 17th and October 2nd.

This week’s team is “Luke’s Skywalkers” from the Warrenville Walk site.

Who are you walking for?
We walk for our seventeen year old son Luke who was diagnosed when he was baby (ten months old).

Why did you pick your team’s name?
It seemed like a natural choice. It’s named after the character Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars movies. Our team name is very popular, during the walk we often hear, “It’s the Luke’s Skywalkers!”

How long have you had your team?
We have been walking since 2000, the year Luke was diagnosed, so 16 years,

What is your favorite memory from your first walk?
The first year was cold, windy, and rainy. Luke’s Skywalkers was represented by only one walker (his dad). Everyone else in the family stayed home with Luke who was still only a year and a half old. The most vivid memory from that day was the excitement and enthusiasm expressed by everyone at the Walk despite the bad weather.

What are some of your Walk Day traditions?
Luke’s Grandparents travel up from Central Illinois and we go to dinner at Maggiano’s. During the Walk, we enjoy spending time with family and checking out the other Family Teams’ t-shirt designs!

That’s it! Thank you for reading the inaugural One Walk Team Spotlight series and we can’t wait to see everyone at the Walks on Sunday!

Did you miss our previous Walk Team Spotlights? You can find them here: Holler for Oliver Our #1, Rakers Rockets, Ceci & Company, the YLC, Paige’s Parade, and Beverly Brigade.