The Breakthrough T1D Greater Dallas Chapter has been organizing School Walks all across North Texas for many years now and the fall 2011 turn out has been incredible. More schools than ever are realizing the importance of increasing awareness of T1D and are partnering with Breakthrough T1D to educate their students about this disease.

A Breakthrough T1D School Walk not only educates students about T1D, but also how to make healthy life choices in avoiding preventable health problems and the difference between type 1 and type 2.

Thanks to some special people who have been involved with Breakthrough T1D School Walks:

• Lauren Dee and Alyssa Korioth hosted Cupcakes for a Cure in the Breakthrough T1D Office Lobby selling cupcakes and sweets to benefit Breakthrough T1D in honor of Bishop Lynch raising over $300. Lauren and Alyssa wanted to raise awareness that having T1D doesn’t mean that you can’t still satisfy your sweet tooth! Thanks to Sugar Queen Cupcakes, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Meringue Bakery and Albertsons for donating sweets for the sale.

• Heather Wheat, mother of Breakthrough T1D Ambassador Nealey Clare volunteered with our School Walk Coordinator, Julie Dee, and the organizing Teacher, Shelly Bourland, to lead a six-week class at Mohawk Elementary to educate the students about T1D!

• Naomi Freeman, HOSA student at Greenhill Schools, coordinated a school walk with the help of Stacy Nutkis and daughter Leah who was just recently diagnosed and Michael Simpson, Head of Lower School.

• Sharon Kofahl and son Brandon presented at the walk at Green Elementary with the assistance of Nurse Julie who also has a son with T1D.

• Jalayne Rinewalt, the PE teacher at Castleman Creek did an awesome job working with our School Walk Coordinator, Kristen Pool for a wonderful, fun-filled Walk with the entire school!  The students even got to see one of their P.E. Teachers follow through on his promise to shave a paw on his head because they reached and exceeded their goal of $5,000 with $6,700 raised!

These are a few examples of all the wonderful families and volunteers who have helped year after year in making Breakthrough T1D’s School Walk program a great success. Thank you to all of the schools who have welcomed us over the years. Some schools do not have a child with diabetes, but know how important it is to bring awareness to T1D.

The following schools have hosted a fundraiser for Breakthrough T1D during the fall 2011 semester:

Bishop Lynch raised over $1,000
Castleman Creek raised $6,700
China Spring raised $2,800
Green Elementary raised $7,000
Greenhill Elementary raised $6,400
Hewitt Elementary raised $3,700
McKillop Elementary raised $825
Mohawk Elementary raised $3,000
South Bosque raised $4,300

Schedule Your School Walk for the Spring 2012 Semester

Why have a school walk?

• Your school receives 10% of the money raised!

• The majority of students & teachers know someone with diabetes.

• We educate the students about diabetes, counting carbs and portion control.

• The presentation and walk can take place during P.E., providing the opportunity to further discuss the importance of diet and exercise.

• We do all the work, so there is no extra time commitment needed from volunteers or teachers.

• Kids earn fabulous prizes!

Attention all high school students!

Get your current school or your previous elementary or middle school involved and receive community service hours! School Walks are a fun and easy way to earn hours! To learn more, please contact Julie Dee at jdee@BreakthroughT1D.org  or (214) 649-2986.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this great program. As important as it is to raise funds for diabetes research, it is even more important to raise awareness of the disease and Breakthrough T1D.

If you would like to learn more about how your school can make a difference, contact Dolores Johnson at dsjohnson@BreakthroughT1D.org or view the Breakthrough T1D Dallas School Walk page.

.

To learn more about the Breakthrough T1D Dallas chapter, visit our Breakthrough T1D Dallas website!