School-sponsored events are a great way to contribute to JDRF’s mission! Through supporting and guiding fundraising efforts, schools promote awareness of T1D while teaching students the value of community service. There are several types of events to choose from, depending on your school’s goals for student engagement — but no matter the choice, fundraising and education benefits both students with or without T1D.

One prominent program is the JDRF Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes, an event with two primary goals: 1) to raise money for diabetes research and 2) to educate the community about the daily impact and challenges of type 1 diabetes. At each participating school, JDRF provides the supplies and resources for educational sessions covering the symptoms, treatments, and effects of the illness, helping students better understand their T1D classmates. These presentations also reduce the social stigma of diabetes by dispelling common myths and misconceptions. Typically, over a two week period, a school raises money for T1D research by gathering donations from friends, family, and neighbors, either online or in person. At the end of this period, participants submit their funds and celebrate their accomplishments by holding a Walk on their school’s campus.

Among middle schools, coin drives are often a popular method for facilitating youth participation. To introduce the event, students receive information about T1D through either the school itself or a presentation from a JDRF staff member. Each class sets out a jar, encouraging students to bring in coins to support T1D research while competing with other classes to raise the most money.  At the end of the drive, winning classes are rewarded with prizes and all students are recognized for their contributions.

Finally, sporting events often provide an ideal setting for fundraising efforts. As an example, Club None at Lincoln High School holds an annual Blue Out for T1D during a junior varsity and varsity football game. The club sells raffle tickets and t-shirts, while the student section wears all blue and sports JDRF foam fingers. The event typically raises $1,600 for T1D research!  This year, Woodcreek High School in Roseville used a similar approach at their freshman, junior varisty, and varsity girls’ basketball games at “Creek for a Cure”.  Volunteers sold t-shirts and conducted a raffle for the opportunity to make a half-court shot to receive free Chick-fil-A for a year. The student government decorated the gym in blue, the players wore blue socks, and the cheerleaders wore blue ribbons. There was also a special dance performance by the Sacramento Kings Dancers! Prior to the game, a JDRF volunteer expressed their appreciation for the school’s support and shared the impact their support would make for the T1D community.

If your school wishes to engage the student body while supporting a worthy cause, consider participating in one of these T1D fundraisers!  To learn more, visit: Kids Helping Kids or contact the Elizabeth Dixon at the JDRF office (916) 576-1379.

Written by: Lorena Bergstrom