Running in a marathon can raise money and awareness for diabetes, a disease that affects more than 21 million Americans. People who have diabetes do not produce enough insulin or effectively use their produced insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar. Through Run for Diabetes, your next run could help find the cure to diabetes.
Beneficiary
All Run for Diabetes events benefit the Diabetes Research Institute, also known as the DRI. The DRI seeks to raise the funds necessary to cure type 1 and type 2 diabetes. According to its website, the DRI began in the 1970s and currently aims to improve the transplant processes and restore insulin production by developing new biomedical technologies and cell-based therapies.
Locations
You can Run for Diabetes at marathons across the United States that are not charity-specific. For example, you can run in a city-sponsored marathon where each runner chooses his own charity. See References for a guide to scheduled marathons. If you want to start your own run, look for a location in the public's eye, such as a local park or neighborhood loop. Then fill out the proper city permits to use this space.
Eligibility
Whether you have diabetes or not, you are welcome to participate in the Run for Diabetes. You must pay any required registration fees and meet the registration deadline for the marathon of choice in your area. Children under 18 need their parent's permission. Anyone can donate directly through the charity's website. Donations are tax-deductible.
Fundraising
Once you have registered for a race, visit the RunForDiabetes website to sign up under the "I Plan to Run" page. Then edit and print a DRI solicitation letter to send to possible supporters. You can create an online donation page for your supporters to use. FirstGiving runs the donation page and takes 7.5 percent of all donation. The remaining money goes directly to the DRI. You can also collect check donations and mail the money to the DRI at:.
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
Att: Run for Diabetes
200 South Park Road, Suite 100
Hollywood, FL 33021
Walk to Cure Diabetes
The Walk to Cure Diabetes benefits research for type 1 diabetes through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, or JDRF. The Walk to Cure Diabetes is an event where all participants are walking for the JDRF. Runners can still participate in this event and usually start off the race ahead of the walkers. Events are held once a year in cities across the United States.
