Twenty-five JDRF families gathered at Thunder Valley Entertainment Center last July to kick off the walk season. Kids and parents had a blast playing putt-putt, riding go karts, playing laser tag and more! Seventy-three JDRF families participated in the 2014 Walk to Cure Diabetes on September 28, 2014. Parents brought posters of their T1D child for the Walk’s “Wall of Heroes” to recognize their child’s courage and to show how wonderful they are. JDRF families who are interested in participating in the Vinton Christmas Parade, Thursday, December 4, 2014, 7:00pm should contact Martha Gish-Toney at mgish@myvalleybank.com A trailer for the T1D kids to ride on and a sign are ready to go, we just need families to help decorate and join the fun! The Outreach Committee is looking for volunteers to help plan similar events for all T1D families. Teens are especially in need of time with their peers who are living with T1D. We have ideas; we just need your help to make it happen! Contact us at 540-772-1975 or email greaterblueridge@jdrf.org if you want to help.

The JDRF Roanoke Family Support Group continues to offer a place for families to exchange information, provide support, and share struggles and triumphs that occur when you have a child with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The group meets every other month at Greene Memorial United Methodist Church in downtown Roanoke.   Entire families are welcome and encouraged to attend. The kids are entertained with games and crafts in a separate room while the parents get a chance to interact with a Special Guest and with each other. Parents of newly diagnosed are especially encouraged to attend however parents who come often say they learn something new each time! Kids love it, too. Quite often they are the only one they know with T1D so it gives them a chance to meet others just like them. Plan to join us at our next meeting on November 11, 2014 from 6-8pm. We’ll have activities for November – National Diabetes Awareness Month! Please RSVP: 540-772-1975 or email greaterblueridge@jdrf.org