'Glucose Gang' Tops All Teams at Asheville Charity Walk
Large in number, physically and monetarily.
Christ School's group was all that and more Saturday at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation One Walk in Asheville.
The "Greenies Glucose Gang" had $17,220 pledged for charity through the weekend, more than any school team who walked Saturday. Once collected, the money will go to fight type 1 diabetes (T1D).
With the blessing of their families, five boys who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes led the fund-raising drive at Christ School – Tyler Haldeman '19, William Carroll '20, Jackson Fender '21, Sam Chandler '22, and Marshall Carter '21. They got to make a presentation to a big crowd gathered at McCormick Field (home to Asheville's minor-league baseball team) on Saturday, and had plenty of company for the walk itself. Close to 50 fellow students and faculty joined the boys in wearing custom "Greenies Glucose Gang" shirts.
"The amount of support at the walk was overwhelming," Jackson said. "Knowing how much money we were able to raise is an incredible feeling. Being able to give back to the diabetic community that received me with open arms is one of the greatest moments in my life."
"It was amazing seeing the amount of support we had as a community on the walk," William said. "I was also very surprised as to how much money we raised, it really goes to show how people are on your side and support you through the rough journey diabetes puts you through. I loved it."
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose (or blood sugar) from the bloodstream into the cells of the body, which is used for energy.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. With proper treatment, the American Diabetes Association says that people can manage the condition and live long, healthy lives.
