Walkers hope cure is around the corner
Published: September 20, 2004
Event raises money for diabetes research.
For the last four years, 30 members of the Vance family have joined to raise money for a cause that is close to their hearts.
Donning matching blue shirts with a Superman-like crest with “TM” on it, “Team Maxwell” lined up Saturday for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes at Holland State Park.
Six-year-old Maxwell wears an insulin pump to help him with his battle against juvenile diabetes.
“We do this every year,” said Maxwell’s father, Robert. “Once we’re done, we have a party.”
With children checking out a Park Township fire truck and volunteers serving breakfast in the Holland Park Cafe, there were plenty of activities to keep the more than 800 people busy before the event started.
Before heading out of the park for the five-mile trek down Ottawa Beach Road, Lakeshore Drive, Perry Street and then back to the park, Maxwell took his turn at the fire truck.
Sporting a “junior firefighter” sticker, he smiled and nodded his head when asked if he was ready for the walk.
Lindy Unwin from Muskegon said she wanted to walk because diabetes affects so many people.
“You’re always meeting new people or finding out that people you already know have diabetes,” Unwin said. “It’s such a widespread thing.”
Judy VanTubbergen, of Holland, Jen Steinbraker and John Kuipers, both of Saugatuck, were all first-timers at the walk. Joining Staci Graham on the Mercantile Bank team, the group said they were ready to get going.
“We’re excited,” Graham said as the sun started to come out Saturday morning.
With dozens of volunteers signing up people and serving breakfast in the Holland Park Cafe, Kathie Cosgrave, special event coordinator with the walk, said she was happy with the turnout.
“Every year it just keeps getting better,” Cosgrave said. “We’ve got a lot of new people and new teams this year.”
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