Nov. 2, 2007

WILLIAMSBURG, Ken. -- Aaron Howell, a freshman men's tennis player at the University of the Cumberlands (Ken.), demonstrated true Champion of Character values when he raised over $1,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in the September 29, 2007 Walk for Diabetes in Newport, Kentucky.

With the help of sponsorship coming from family, friends, and UC faculty members, Aaron walked for his fifth straight year to raise money to help support the cure for diabetes. It is his fourth consecutive year that he has raised more than $1,000 for the cause. Juvenile diabetes is classified as Type 1 diabetes and is usually diagnosed in children or young adults. This form of diabetes prevents the body from producing insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life.

As many as 3 million Americans have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a disease that strikes suddenly, lasts a lifetime, and carries the constant threat of deadly complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and amputation.

JDRF sponsored the fundraising walk, which covers three miles, and has a total of 200 different walking events every year. Their mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. A cure is appearing to become more and more attainable thanks to continued progress in research.

Aaron reigns from Batavia, Ohio, where he attended Batavia High School. He was diagnosed with diabetes nearly seven years ago and loves participating in the event each year. "It has been very motivating the past five years to see that there are so many people walking at the event to help find a cure for diabetes," comments Aaron. "It is important to me to take part in the walk because diabetes is something that I have had to deal with everyday and a cure is extremely important. On the day of the event, there are tons of people there, all supporting the same cause. Even the Xavier University's Women's basketball team has been there in the past to help push strollers during the walk."

Visit jdrf.org to learn more about the Walk for Diabetes or other ways of contributing to finding a cure for the disease.