In their ongoing mission to serve the community, students, faculty, staff, and administration at the College of Staten Island will, once again, participate in the Walk to Cure Diabetes on Sunday, October 24 at 8:30am. The JDRF Walk draws people in the Staten Island community together in a healthy activity for a worthy cause, raising money to help find a cure for diabetes.

Anyone from the College of Staten Island is welcome to create a team, and all are encouraged to participate. CSI’s fundraising efforts for the Walk have consistently increased over the last three years with approximately $3,000 in 2007, about $5,000 in 2008, and almost $9,000 in 2009.

In addition, students have been employing a variety of methods to promote awareness of the Walk, including a Facebook page, collegiate link event, flyers, emails, class presentations, posters, tabling during club hours in the Library and Campus Center every week.”

“It’s fun day for all, especially our students, and builds camaraderie among the community. Hundreds of our students have been participating in the walk as volunteers and/or as walkers for the past couple of years…We are excited about this year’s walk,” said Robert King Kee, Coordinator of Student Leadership Development at CSI said. “We get better and better every year. We hope our students learn the importance of working together collaboratively to reach a shared goal of raising money for a great cause. We feel our students have a responsibility to give back to the community that gives us so much. We also hope that they continue to have fun, meet new friends, and make a difference in the lives of others.”

Kee added, “The Office of Student Life’s Emerging Leaders Program has taken on this cause as a service project. Katrina Hannan, a graduate of the 2008-2009 ELP Cohort has been the captain of the team for the past three years. She has recruited many student leaders from other CSI student clubs and organizations to recruit volunteers, and sell sneakers and other JDRF merchandise to raise money and awareness for Juvenile Diabetes.”

Regarding the importance of the funds raised at the Walk, a JDRF statement noted that “JDRF science is aimed at moving research discoveries into products, drugs and treatments for people with diabetes. Over the past year, there have been major findings and developments as a result of JDRF’s funding, which underscores the key role the organization plays in directing and catalyzing the pursuit of a cure.”

Walkers are still needed from among the College community. According to the JDRF, “Continuing support from steadfast supporters remains the catalyst behind the success that drives JDRF’s mission. One way to ensure that cutting edge research progress continues is by participating in the upcoming Walk to Cure Diabetes. As the New York Chapter’s largest fundraising event, the Walk is an important way…to make a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes.”

The Walk, sponsored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), is scheduled to take place at CSI and Flush Meadows Corona Park on the 24th, and also at Battery Park and the Bronx Zoo on October 3.
For more information on the Walk, to register, or to make a contribution to the Walk please visit the NYC Walk Website.

By Terry Mares