Recognition for Juvenile Diabetes fund raisers in Chicopee

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - A big thank you Tuesday night in Chicopee for some of the thousands of people who  raised money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation this Autumn.

Recognition for a couple hundred of the estimated 3,500 people who walked to cure Juvenile Diabetes last October.  JDRF handed out awards and ribbons to some of the top fund raisers.

The goal is to provide support and the promise of a better life through better treatments, and one day, hopefully, a cure.

Connecticut/ Western Mass JDRF executive Director Jon Muskrat told 22News the walks are often an opportunity for families to come together.

"They have aunts and uncles and friends.  We have teams that put together 50, 60, 70 people that come together for the day.  They walk.  they raise money.  And it becomes a nice sort of family bonding event for them," Muskrat said.

Springfield's Jason Arnold was moved to get his family involved in the Walk for a Cure after he lost his brother to diabetes six years ago.

Arnold told 22News, "I'm also a diabetic.  When you're walking and you see young kids who have diabetes, it feels good to know that you're doing something to try and help get a cure for Juvenile Diabetes."

22News anchor and ITeam Reporter Laura Hutchinson hosted Tuesday nights JDRF awards celebration at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee.   Hutchinson also hosted the walk at Six Flags in Agawam last fall.

Jon Muskrat told 22News, "the October walk raised $643,000, and counting.  We're very proud of that number.