The Georgia Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Raises $1.9 Million at the 2010 Walk to Cure Diabetes

ATLANTA, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 10,000 people participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Georgia Chapter's Walk to Cure Diabetes, raising more than $1.9 million. The proceeds from this extraordinary event go towards research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.

For the second year in a row Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) led the fundraising efforts as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2010 Walk to Cure Diabetes, raising a total of $73,000 - $55,000 from the BCBSGa Foundation and more than $18,000 raised by BCBSGa associates. "Diabetes remains an epidemic in our country, and unfortunately there is a strong likelihood that we all know someone impacted by this disease," said Morgan Kendrick, President, BCBSGa. "This is certainly true for me, and for many of our 3,000 employees and 2.5 million members in Georgia, which is why we continue to support JDRF."

This event brought together hundreds of corporate, family and school teams, made up of thousands of people, who walked in support of finding a cure for diabetes. After the 5K everyone enjoyed a fun afternoon of games and live entertainment from local performers including Gym South, Sole Momentum and Lost City. Charlie Kimball, the only licensed driver with diabetes in the Indy Racing League, also showed his support by shaking hands and signing autographs for fans of all ages.

"We thank all of our corporate sponsors and volunteers for their hard work and support of the Walk to Cure Diabetes," said JDRF Georgia Chapter Executive Director, Clanci Jordan. "Due to the millions of dollars raised at the annual walks JDRF is able to fund the most promising science that will accelerate progress toward new treatments, and eventually a cure."

The Walk to Cure Diabetes is the fastest growing fund raising event in the history of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Today walks are held in more than 200 cities worldwide. Nearly 500,000 people nationally walked last year and raised $90 million to cure diabetes.

For information on how to get involved in the 2011 Walk to Cure Diabetes visit http://jdrfgeorgia.org/ or call 404-420-5990.

About JDRF:

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide. Since its founding in 1970, by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, the mission has remained constant, to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education. Today, JDRF's leadership is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes.  JDRF has awarded more than $1.5 billion in grants and fellowships to laboratories, universities and medical centers in 22 countries. Locally, JDRF has supported research grants at Emory University, Georgia Tech, University of Georgia and Medical College of Georgia.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association® . The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  Additional information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is available at www.bcbsga.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinInBCBSGa, visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin or check out the Our Health Connects Us campaign site at http://connects.bcbsga.com/.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia