More than 2,000 walkers representing Long Island corporations, families, schools and organizations are expected to mobilize on Sept. 29 for the 2002 Walk to Cure diabetes, the annual fund-raising event sponsored by the Long Island chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF). With walkers beginning from two separate locations, Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, and Belmont Lake State Park in Babylon, the chapter's goal is to raise a total of more than $1 million for research to find a cure for juvenile diabetes and its complications.

"This is one of our most important events of the year," says Barbara Rogus, executive director of the Long Island Chapter of the JDRF. "It's great to be working with so many families and local businesses on such an important goal - curing a disease which kills one American every three minutes and costs our nation more than $105 billion a year in health care expenses. That's why we are committed to raising money for cutting edge research. By working together we can make a difference."

Leeza Gibbons - journalist, TV host, and producer - has been named Honorary Chair of this year's JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, and boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard has been named the national chair. For Leonard the "fight" to cure diabetes is a very personal one. His father has diabetes, strengthening Sugar Ray's commitment to finding a cure.

National JDRF Walk partners include Advance Auto Parts, Discover Financial, Ford Motor Company, Marshalls, Olivio, UBS Paine Webber and Walgreens. Local JDRF Walk Sponsors are Camera Land Inc., Estee Lauder, The Good Samaritan Hospital, Henry Schein and the New York Jets. Radio listeners can also hear about the event on local stations including The Island 94.3, KJOY 98.3, and Radio Disney AM 1560.

The annual Walk to Cure diabetes has traditionally been a fun experience for all involved, and often, entire families enjoy participating together. The special warm-up led by Jazzercise instructors also adds to the fun and is always a big hit with walkers.

"We are immensely appreciative of the participation we are getting from all of our local and national sponsors," says Rogus. "The enthusiastic commitment of all of our sponsors enables us to accelerate our research to more quickly find a cure for diabetes. This is corporate and community citizenship at its best."

The Long Island JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes is one of the many such events held each year in more than 225 cities worldwide by JDRF chapters. More than 550,000 people worldwide walked to cure diabetes last year, and more than 750,000 are expected this year. In 2001, the walks raised $78 million nationally, a total that JDRF expects to surpass in 2002.

The Long Island Chapter for JDRF is located at 900 Wheeler Rd., Suite 225, Hauppauge, NY 11788. For information about Juvenile Diabetes or information on how to get involved, please call 631-724-9217 or send e-mail to longisland@jdrf.org. Visit the national JDRF website at www.jdrf.org.