During National Volunteer Week, April 7-13, JDRF will be honoring our outstanding volunteer partners. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you who work tirelessly to advance JDRF’s mission. From board, event committees and office volunteers, to advocacy leaders, outreach volunteers and youth ambassadors, we are incredibly grateful for each and every one of you who shares your time, energy and expertise with us. Thank you so much, now and always!

Here are a few volunteers that do exceptional work to help JDRF create a world without type one diabetes.

Advocacy- Keith Overa

Keith Overa is a true T1D advocate! Volunteering as the Greater Seattle Washington Advocacy Lead Keith’s passion and determination to support the T1D community goes beyond measure. In the past year Keith has worked with our local and national government to increase T1D funding support, serves on the JDRF Greater Northwest Board, and was honored as JDRF Advocacy ‘Rookie of the Year,’ at this year’s Government Day. Thank you, Keith for being a fearless leader in the fight and helping to support the T1D community!

Ride to Cure Diabetes- Jude Restis

Jude Restis serves as one of the JDRF Greater Northwest Ride to Cure Diabetes coaches. His volunteering serves as a crucial connection between the T1D community and the Ride to Cure program. Jude has ridden in over 15+ JDRF Rides, mentored countless individuals about cycling and living with type one diabetes, and raised thousands of dollars to support JDRF funded research. In addition to being a JDRF Ride to Cure coach, Jude also serves as the JDRF Greater Northwest Research Information Volunteer- providing research updates on T1D therapies and technology information to members of the community. Thank you, Jude for being an incredible mentor and leader in the T1D community.

Outreach- Jen Cruze

Jen Cruze serves on the JDRF Greater Northwest Outreach Committee leading the chapter’s Adult Meet ups. As chair, Jen oversees three monthly groups that support adults living with T1D and their loved ones throughout the year. This crucial service allows adults in our community to have a safe space to share their thoughts, concerns, learn about new technology, and ask questions without fear of judgement. Thank you, Jen for your hard work, dedication, and support of all members of the T1D community.

Beat the Bridge- Kaeanna & Grace Pilo

Kaeanna & Grace hit the ground running after Grace was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10, taking on many of the new challenges that comes with living with T1D. Kaeanna & Grace immediately wanted to make an impact on the type one community and started Team Amazing Grace to fundraise for the Nordstrom Beat the Bridge. In 2017, Team Amazing Grace raised over $6,200 and more than doubled that in 2018, raising $15,750! Grace didn’t stop there, last year she became one of the Beat the Bridge Ambassadors, sharing her story and inspiring a community to join her in making a difference. Kaeanna is part of the Beat the Bridge Family Team Committee, working as a role model and a coach for other family teams. Kaeanna & Grace are a dynamic duo that have turned a major life challenge into an incredible point of strength and we are can’t thank them enough for their involvement!

One Walk- Jacqui-Lyn Jones

Jacqui-Lyn and her family have been involved with JDRF for many years, working tirelessly to help JDRF find a cure for type one.  She first got involved when her son Curtis was diagnosed with type 1 at the age of 6. Jacqui-Lyn is now the Chair of the Spokane One Walk, leading a team of volunteers to make this event a huge success! In addition to her amazing fundraising for Team Curtis and putting on the Spokane One Walk, Jacqui-Lyn & her family organize fun, family Outreach events, such as the T1D Easter Egg Hunt and a fun night at Mobius! We can’t say thank you enough to Jacqui-Lyn for the incredible impact she is making in the Inland NW T1D community!

Golf Classic- Kelly & Graham Grisoli

Golf Classic power couple, Kelly and Graham Grisoli are incredible leaders in the T1D Community! As co-chair of the 11^th Annual JDRF Golf Classic, Graham helped field a full course of golfers and attract over 25 sponsors for the event. On the sunny September day at Glendale Country Club, Kelly stole the show with an emotional Fund A Cure speech; her inspirational talk capped an evening which raised over $175,000 for T1D research. Thank you, Kelly & Graham!

Dream Gala- Vicki Haskell

We would like to give a huge shout out to another one of our unbelievable volunteers, Vicki Haskell! As Volunteer Chair for the 30^th Anniversary Dream Gala, Vicki gathered and trained more than 100 volunteers to make for a smooth and successful gala night. Vicki and her husband, John, have been long-time JDRF supporters, and we are so grateful for their tireless efforts to help move us toward a world without T1D!

Interested in supporting JDRF as a volunteer? Join JDRF by filling out a volunteer interest form.