Footsteps towards a cure
Published: May 5, 2005
Some ran and others walked. But every participating member of the Herkimer School District was moving for the same reason — to raise money to fight diabetes.
For 12 hours on Tuesday students, staff and members of the community took turns braving the weather as they circled around the elementary school track.
“We raised over $7,200 last year and it’s just a great cause. It’s an awareness thing for the kids in our school. And we’re trying to raise money for the American Diabetes Association and see if they can find a cure for diabetes,” said Jason Izzo, physical education teacher.
Izzo says total pledges through Tuesday morning were at about $500. The Walk for Diabetes kicked off last year after more than dozen students within the district were diagnosed with diabetes.
“At present we have 5 Type 1 insulin dependent diabetic children in our building — just the elementary building. That’s not counting the high school we have several there also. It’s very important that they come in on a regular basis for blood sugar tests. They prick their own fingers they do the tests themselves. They’re very brave and then they have to get insulin accordingly,” said Kathleen Priolo, elementary school nurse.
Elementary teacher Pat Cofrancesco has spent over half of her 34 year teaching career with diabetes. She feels the efforts by everyone to help find a cure are fantastic.
“This walk is just phenomenal. I was flabbergasted when they started talking about it. I had no idea this many people and that this much money would be getting raised. It’s phenomenal and I’m just glad they have the public out there,” said Cofrancesco.
Members of the community were encouraged to come throughout the day to show support. And even though the weather wasn’t perfect, those that did participate made the best of it.
Izzo says this year’s goal is to surpass last year’s total of $7,200. He says even if that doesn’t happen he’s proud of the efforts of both the entire community and the school district.
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