We are deeply appreciative to all of our donors, sponsors and corporate partners for the contributions that raise awareness and fund research to Cure, Treat and Prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Phoenix – Sonora Quest Laboratories/ Laboratory Sciences of Arizona, long time supporter and premiere corporate partner of the Desert Southwest Chapter, will be hosting their 10^th Annual SQL Golf Tournament benefiting Breakthrough T1D. The event will be held on Monday, September 24 at We-Ko-Pa Golf Course in Fountain Hills. Registration and breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the shotgun start will be at promptly 9:00 a.m.

A team of 15 Sonora Quest employees volunteer their time to be a part of the golf committee planning effort that includes; selling sponsorships, foursomes, securing raffle and auction items, and coordinating the logistics to make sure the event runs smoothly and participants have the best time possible. “We are thrilled with the success our golf tournament has had over the years and appreciate our employees’ dedication to the cause and event. This year to celebrate the 10^th year, we have introduced new elements to really enhance our participants experience – this is an event not to miss,” said Perry Scroggins, co-chair of the SQL golf tournament. Historically and consistently, the event has raised over $40,000 for the Desert Southwest Chapter of Breakthrough T1D, but because this is the 10^th year, the group has set their goal a tad higher and hopes to present Breakthrough T1D with a check for $50,000.
Each year the proceeds of their golf tournament benefits the annual Breakthrough T1D Walk to Cure Diabetes SQL/LSA Corporate Walk Team.

To learn more about the event, please visit https://www.sonoraquest.com/about-us/jdrf-golf-benefit/

Tucson – Sonora Quest Labs of Tucson has been committed to raising funds for Breakthrough T1D for years!  Our company encourages our employees to act upon certain values and behaviors, which include compassion.  With this in mind, we work to find innovative ways to raise money for Breakthrough T1D.

In addition to a $15,000 donation to the golf outing, and a $5000 company donation, our employees engage in several fundraising activities!  Our Patient Service Centers and In-Office-Phlebotomists sell the $1 Paper Sneakers to clients, totaling well over $1000 yearly.  This year we plan to top that substantially!

Some fundraisers we do are a Rummage Sale, Donut Sale, Bake Sale, Football Bratwurst Sale, a Chili Cook-Off, sale of Entertainment Books, a Nacho Party, a Tamale Sale, a 50/50 Raffle, Basket Raffles, and Book Sales, we will once again have a company Family Fun Fest for Breakthrough T1D this year!  We made well over $1000 in employee ticket sales at our last fest, and had a great time doing it.  We had a cotton candy machine, a sno-cone machine, karaoke, lots of food, and a jumping castle.  Altogether in employee fundraisers, we raise about an additional $5000 each year.

We look forward to The Walk, which we always attend, with well over 100 employees!

New Mexico – The FRENCH Family of Companies is a vested partner with Breakthrough T1D of New Mexico working towards a cure for T1D. Their company motto “live passionately” is something they practice in all they do. Dedicating their time, treasure and talents to Breakthrough T1D New Mexico, they play a pivotal role in many of Breakthrough T1D’s local efforts.

FRENCH has been a Corporate Sponsor of the Walk to Cure Diabetes in Albuquerque since 2006, contributing more than $25,000.00.  As a Corporate Walk team they have raised over $26,023, totaling over $50,000 in partnership with Breakthrough T1D to cure, treat and prevent T1D.

With several personal connections to T1D, many of the company’s employees dedicate their time in leadership and volunteer roles at Breakthrough T1D New Mexico; Chris Keller began his first year as Breakthrough T1D New Mexico’s Board President in July. Duffy Swan is the immediate past Walk Corporate Chair for the Walk to Cure Diabetes, raising $98,000 in sponsorship in 2011. Julie Keller coordinates a Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes at Roosevelt Middle School, where her daughter Kirsten Keller (Daughter to Chris Keller & Granddaughter to Duffy Swan), who has T1D, attends school. Leigh Jenke is a volunteer on the Adult Type 1 Committee, providing outreach support to adults with T1D. Mark Ballard, a past Board President, serves as the Chair of the Tee Up to Cure Diabetes golf tournament, which has raised nearly $1 million dollars in New Mexico toward T1D research over the past eight years.

More than a Walk to Cure Diabetes sponsor, Corporate Walk Team or volunteers, the FRENCH Family of Companies is part of the Breakthrough T1D New Mexico family, leading by example towards a cure for T1D passionately. Please join them on November 3^rd in Albuquerque, NM by signing up for the walk today!

Don’t delay and register today for one of our three walk sites:
* Tucson, Arizona – Walk to Cure Diabetes Celebrating Ron Santo taking place on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Rillito Park.
* Tempe, Arizona – Walk to Cure Diabetes Celebrating Ron Santo on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at Tempe Town Lake.
* Albuquerque, NM – Walk to Cure Diabetes Saturday, November 3, 2012 at Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park.

We hope you plan to join us!

Desert Southwest Chapter Staff
www.jdrfdsw.org