On Saturday, May 2, the North Florida type 1 diabetes (T1D) community came together for Breakthrough T1D Walk, Jacksonville, raising more than $287,000 for T1D breakthroughs and cures! And $2,544 of that total was thanks to the University of Florida College of Nursing, which fielded an alumni Walk team for the event. This year marks the college’s 70th anniversary, and the celebratory theme of community involvement brought the Orange and Blue for Breakthroughs Team to Jacksonville.
Jerry Hogan, a nurse anesthesiologist and College of Nursing alumnus, was one of 8 team members who participated in-person on Walk Day. Jerry says he walked for the first time in honor of his friend’s daughter, who has had T1D for over 30 years, and Autumn Shaw, who lives with T1D and was a former student of his in the nurse anesthesiology graduate program where he teaches.
“It seemed like a good cause to get involved with,” Jerry said. “It has not hit me directly, but it certainly has affected people that I know and love.”
Support From Afar
Cassidy O’Neil, the Orange and Blue for Breakthroughs Team’s top fundraiser, grew up in Gainesville and just marked her 24th diaversary and her 24th Walk—she was diagnosed with T1D when she was 16 months old.
“Walk is something that means a lot to me,” Cassidy said. “It’s a reminder that you’re not alone in living with this every single day.”
As a “double-gator alum,” Cassidy received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Florida, and is now a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
“It’s so special to see a community that I’m a part of so willing to give their time and their generosity to another community that’s been a part of my life for almost all of my life,” she said. “I think it’s really just a testament to the incredible community of the College of Nursing.”
Cassidy joined the Orange and Blue for Breakthroughs Team remotely from her home in Cincinnati, and marked her Walk Day with an equidistant walk in Cincinnati’s Ohio-riverfront park.
“I tried to time it so it was in the morning as well, so I would be doing it at the same time as team members who were able to make it there in person,” Cassidy said.
As the top fundraiser, she brought in $846 to the team’s $2,544 total.
“We were number 18, so we were in the top 20 of teams that went to the Jacksonville Walk,” Cassidy said. “It’s graduation season at the University of Florida, but I think that’s an even bigger testament to the College of Nursing and everybody who got involved for their willingness and dedication to still show up.”
Walk is a Community
For people considering Walking who haven’t before, Cassidy says it’s a great way to get connected with your T1D community and power progress toward cures.
“There’s nothing like the energy of being at a Walk,” she said. “Having done 24 of them, I can say that I always leave even more inspired every single year.”
Even though Jacksonville was his first Walk, Jerry agrees.
“It’s fun! It’s very social, and it’s a nice occasion to get together for a good cause,” he said.
Jacksonville is just one of many cities that hold a Breakthrough T1D Walk. Register today and walk with us to help make everyday life with T1D better!
