Coal Creek Canyon Community Blog

In August and September the canyon was teeming with generosity as canyon businesses and families participated in and donated to two separate Walks to Cure Diabetes.   On August 29th the students at the Coal Creek Canyon K-8 school took advantage of a beautiful, sunny day to make two laps around the school ecology site on a Kids Walk for the Cure.  Before walking the students heard from canyon resident and parent, Matt O’Donnell, about what diabetes is and what it is like to live with type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes.  They learned that type 1 diabetes is currently an incurable disease that requires diabetics to test their blood sugar 4-12 times a day, and regularly inject insulin into their bodies in order to live.  Close to 100 students participated in the walk, and many also helped raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) by selling paper sneakers to families, friends, and canyon businesses.  Their efforts resulted in over $800 being raised, and over 800 paper sneakers papering the walls of the school!

On Sunday, September 14th many canyon residents and businesses again came together to support “Ellie’s Quest for the Cure” at the annual Rocky Mountain Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes.  Ellie White, a canyon resident who has type 1 diabetes organized a team of walkers to celebrate her 7th birthday at the 2.5 mile walk at Elitch Gardens in Denver. Ellie’s team of over 100 walkers created a sea of black t-shirts emblazoned with Ellie’s birthday theme of living “happily ever after” by finding a cure for diabetes.  Ellie’s team raised over $4,000 to contribute to the $1,000,000 goal for the walk.

There are many people and organizations to thank for their generosity in both of these efforts to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes.  Among them are:

Ellie’s “Quest for the Cure” t-shirt sponsors:
United Power
Rocky Mountain School of Dance
Sportline
Motherhood Transitions
Ellie’s Closet

Ellie’s “Quest for the Cure” team birthday breakfast:
Mimi’s Café at Flatirons Crossing

Sneaker Supporters:
Canyon Liquors
Wondervu Café
Kirby and Thomas Leonard at Front Range Mountain Property
Kathy Keating at Mock Realty
Carl’s Corner
Revelle Real Estate
Kwik Mart
Wee Creekers
Rocky Mountain Hair
Eldora Lodge
Byers & Sellers Mountain Properties

Please join us in thanking these organizations and all of the people who helped in this effort to find a cure for diabetes.  If you have questions about diabetes or the JDRF, please contact Beth White at 303-642-1608.

For more photos see: http://flickr.com/photos/adam_jack/sets/72157607931978468/ and  http://www.flickr.com/groups/coalcreekcanyoncolorado/