This is the third year the walk has been done in Prince Albert and its 18th year across Canada.
Buckler is the fundraising and development co-ordinator for the Saskatoon Chapter and Area division of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
“They are all connected to the cause. They either have a child or a relative, literally everyone you see here … have a direct connection to Type 1 diabetes,” (T1D).
They raised $9,800 and money is still being turned in, Buckler said.
“We had some sponsorship money, but I would say about 90 per cent of our money is pledge money. So by and large it is all the hard work of the individuals.”
Families such as the Campbells raised nearly $10,000 by collecting pledges and holding fundraisers.
The Campbell family raised $1,200 by hosting several barbeques, said Damien Campbell.
The cause hits close to home for Campbell.
“My little sister has diabetes.”
In Canada, more than 300,000 people live with this disease and the complications that come with it.
Across Canada, more than 70 communities are participating in the walk to find a cure for T1D.
Nationally, members of JDRF are pushing to raise more than they ever have before with a goal of $7.9 million.
Funds raised by the walks are used to fund research to treat the symptoms of T1D and, ultimately to find a permanent cure for the disease.
T1D is a severe form of diabetes, which is a non-preventable autoimmune disease. Both children and adults can be diagnosed with it and stays with them for their whole life.
For more information about T1D, you can go to the JDRF website at www.jdrf.ca
