Walking and raising funds for JDRF One Walk may look a little different this year, but one constant remains: We walk to end type 1 diabetes.

JDRF’s mission is to drive life-changing diabetes research and make life with T1D easier along the way. From advocating for insulin affordability to gathering for virtual Halloween fun to successfully genetically engineering patient cells to become nondiabetic and reverse diabetes in mice, JDRF is tackling this disease from all angles.

Our JDRF One Walk teams aren’t letting a pandemic slow our work down. This year, we’re inviting you to walk your way. You set the pace, place and number of miles – all while raising funds for JDRF.

But don’t take it from us! Keep reading to hear from your fellow chapter members on why – and how – they’re walking for cures.

Alex the Warrior: Why He Walks

A Tradition of Giving Back: Plymouth Rock Assurance

“On November 1, 2020, Plymouth Rock will proudly unite for the 23^rd year as one community to support a cause close to our hearts. We will participate in the 2020 JDRF One Walk for those currently living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and continue our fight for a world without it.

In the past six years alone, Plymouth Rock has raised over $200,000 for this critical cause. Last year marked our best year to date as we gathered 371 colleagues, family members and friends to walk in Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ, raising $45,815.

As we all know, 2020 hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. But that won’t stop us from coming together to support this worthy cause. Because COVID-19 will prevent us from walking in-person this year, we will virtually unite with JDRF and One Walk teams across the state, country and world to embark on one of our greatest journeys yet.”

Avery Explains Why She’s Motivated to Walk

Stephanie’s Steppers Keeps it Going for Year 23

“One Walk is always a reminder to me that I am not alone in this fight for a cure for Type 1 diabetes … I was diagnosed in 1994, at the age of 9, with Type 1 diabetes. I had started out as an individual walker with my family during the first year of my diagnosis. Three years later, my family took note of the other team names and decided that we should have a team name as well, inviting friends and family to attend the walk with me. My team started with a few friends and family; now 23 years later, we have at least 15-20 friends/family that join us each year.” Team Captain Stephanie Strohmenger 

Team Danny X Shares Why He Walks

Team Sugar Emmas Walks Their Way for Their Why

Denise Unites Adults — and Invites them — to Join her First Walk Team

“This year I decided that everyone is home is this pandemic situation and it would be nice to come together as a team a little differently. I decided that there are so many people that want to walk, but choose not to because they don’t have a team to belong to like myself.

So I decided there should be one large team for others that want to be involved and want a team to join. It has been surprising that we have discussed a new team and a week later we had at least 8 new members. Anyone from anywhere can join this team no should feel like they don’t have support this year!!!” Team Captain Denise Scheffler 

Jersey Shore Walks for Their Patients

Cole Rallies His Colleagues Around Cures

“The struggles of having Type 1 haven’t changed in the last year. I still have to meticulously count carbs, monitor my body for signs of high and low blood sugar, find ways of keeping myself awake to fully treat lows, and do all of this while trying to appear like a normally function adult.

What this all boils down to is that this year, more than ever, your contributions to the JDRF One Walk is more important than ever. As I said last year, treatments are not a cure. Many developments make life easier for people with diabetes, but they do not replace a functioning pancreas, the only thing that can do that is a cure. Thank you for supporting this years One Walk and thank you for continuing to make a difference in the lives of all those that live with diabetes.”