JDRF in YOUR Neighborhood
BY MICHAL BILETZKI
When you attend the Queens JDRF One Walk for the first time, you cannot help but be amazed by the passion, steadfastness and sheer determination of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. There are thousands gathered with one goal to create a world without T1D.
You might also notice about a dozen individuals wearing orange staff t-shirts running around making sure everyone is happy and excited with their amazing fundraising accomplishments. I am one of those people.
I have been working for JDRF for the last six years in different roles. I am proud and excited to now be working with the peer-to-peer program at the New York City/Long Island Chapter, specifically focusing on our JDRF One Walk program.
Even more specifically, I am working on our Queens, Flushing Meadows Corona Park JDRF One Walk, which will be held on October 7.
JDRF is the leading global organization funding T1D research. Our vision is a world without T1D, and our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.
Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has funded research that has led to numerous improvements and advancements in T1D treatments, improving the lives of those living with T1D locally, nationally and internationally.
Locally, the JDRF New York City/Long Island Chapter covers all five boroughs and Long Island, and provides much needed outreach resources, community support, and local fundraising events to the local T1D community, including children and adults affected by the disease, their families, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.
Through our efforts, families are afforded a community of support and resources that help in the day-to-day management of the disease. Through our local fundraising events, our community – families, businesses, volunteers and staff – partners with us in our neverending efforts to keep funding research.
Our local staff consists of a team of 13 dedicated and passionate fundraising professionals, outreach specialists, community event planners and voluntary health professionals, who work tirelessly to serve the local T1D community.
Holding upwards of ten fundraising events a year, we rely heavily on our volunteer base and our corporate partnerships, to provide a top-notch experience for our constituents. wherever and whenever they encounter us.
Our partnerships with local businesses allow us to be more involved in our own community here in New York City and Long Island, and shows our constituents that they are, in turn, supported by their community.
The JDRF One Walk is a fun, family-friendly event where dedicated walkers, volunteers and sponsors raise money to make living with T1D safer and healthier until it is no longer a threat. The Queens One Walk is one of five amazing experiences available locally, filled with activities, entertainment and the celebration of coming together to change the future for everyone living with this disease.
Locally, we host five JDRF One Walks, making sure that we reach and accommodate all of our constituents in a location that is convenient to them.
Walking from Manhattan to Brooklyn, in Queens Flushing Meadows Corona Park, in Eisenhower Park, in Staten Island, and in Heckscher State Park allows our business partners the flexibility to target their own exposure to segmented audiences, and also great possibility to appear in front of close to 20,000 local patrons by joining us for all five One Walks.
I invite you to join us at one or more of our One Walks this year and see for yourself a dedication and passion like no other. Meet the families impacted by your generosity, connect with the T1D community and make a real difference locally.
Michal Biletzki is Development Manager of the New York City/Long Island Chapter of JDRF.
