JDRF walk raises almost $30k for diabetes research Saturday

DULUTH, MN. (KBJR) - Despite the rainy weather, some Northlanders gathered Saturday for a walk to help fight diabetes.

The JDRF 5K kicked off at 10 a.m. at Lake Place Park in Duluth.

JDRF is a global non-profit organization that helps fund research to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

This year, they paired with Essentia Health to host the event.

In addition to the walk, participants enjoyed family-friendly activities including balloon animals, glitter tattoos, henna painting, a photo station, and more.

According to Dr. Kannan Kasturi from Essentia’s Diabetes department this disease requires patients to be vigilant daily to keep it under control.

“It’s a chronic condition, every time they eat something they need to constantly check their sugar, and what they’re eating. So if there’s one word I can put for this condition, it’s unrelenting,” said Kasturi, a pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology specialist at Essentia Health.

This year’s event was a fundraiser with a goal of raising $10,000, but organizers said they raised more than $29,000.

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