Glow Run fundraiser set for Childhood Diabetes Expense Relief Fund – American Press

JENNINGS The Childhood Diabetes Expense Relief Fund will hold its annual Glow Run on da Bayou 7-10 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at the baseball fields at 1206 East Academy Ave.

The goal of the run, which last year drew over 200 runners and 150 spectators, is to raise money to help families of children with Type 1 diabetes buy insulin and testing supplies and meet other medical needs, said Casey Doucet, local CDERF president.

We hope to see over 500 people this year and would love to see our participants count break the 300 mark. Doucet said. Our main goal, however, is to educate and bring awareness to people locally and have a blast while doing so.

Doucet and his wife, Monique, created CDERF after their son, Wyatt, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in February 2014 at the age of 3.

We had no idea the struggles that we would be facing just trying to keep him alive day after day. After six months of the daily stresses involved with treating our child with this disease, the bills began to roll in, Doucet said.

On top of all the things weve had to deal with, we now had to choose which bill wasnt getting paid this month due to the cost of diabetesrelated medications and supplies. These supplies are literally a matter of life and death, so you do not have the option of not getting them.

The Doucets began discussing ways to help other families facing the same issues, and they hit on the idea of forming the group.

It is our goal that other families do not have to face these circumstances, Doucet said. We feel like if this is the path we are meant to take with Wyatt, then we want to help others who are also facing these difficulties.

The Glow Run is not the main fundraiser for the group, but it is the main public outreach effort, he said.

It allows us to meet people in this area and helps us to raise awareness of this awful disease, Doucet said.

During last years Glow Run, we met several local families who had Type 1 diabetic children. We have been able to help several of them financially, as well as with advice or just an understanding listening ear.

The run will start at the west entrance of the Jennings Park and Recreation parking lot and travel east on East Academy, turning right onto River Oak Drive, circling the subdivision and retracing the route to the starting line.

Registration is available atcderf.org/glowrunthrough midnight June 23 and 5-6 p.m. in the park on race day.

Entry fees are $25 for adults; $20 for children 12-17; $15 for children 7-11; and $10 for non-participants. Children 6 and under enter free.

Awards will be presented to the top three runners in each division, as well as the top male and female in each age group.

Early registrants who sign up before midnight on June 20 will receive a T-shirt, glow items and a water bottle. Participants may also bring their own glow items.

Food and drinks will be provided for all paid participants. Spectators can buy a $10 wristband and eat. Children 6 and under will eat and drink free.

For more information, call CDERF at 337-329-1372 or emailinfo@cderf.org.

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Glow Run fundraiser set for Childhood Diabetes Expense Relief Fund - American Press