Thousands walk to find a cure for juvenile diabetes

CEDAR RAPIDS- 15,000 kids a year face juvenile diabetes diagnoses.  The disease alters their daily lives and left untreated could have dire consequences.  That's why 3,500 people walked for a cure for juvenile diabetes Saturday in Westdale Mall raising $568,000 dollars.

"They have to count everything they eat.  They have to give themselves insulin shots.  They're checking their blood sugar multiple times a day,” said JDRF Eastern Iowa Executive Director Annelise Walsh.

Glenda Murray's granddaughter didn't have the opportunity to live with the disease.

"It took us four months after she passed away before we finally found out what it was,” said JDRF Team Captain Glenda Murray.

Left undiagnosed and untreated, 15-month old Sydney was constantly sick and eventually died from complications from diabetes three years ago.  But Murray makes sure her memory lives on.

"She's walking with me because I have a lock of her hair in a locket so she always walks with me,” said Murray.

And as thousands walked, organizers hope people remember those who've died from diabetes and those who struggle to live with it through a lifetime of health issues.

"Adults are diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, now called Type 1, all those kids if you don't find a cure they're going to grow up being adults with Type 1,” said Walsh.

Along with walking, participants could also learn about the latest research and resources in Eastern Iowa.

"We're helping as many people as we can help,” said walker Haleigh Eakins who was walking for a friend. "She has diabetes and we just found that out."