This year we have chosen a very deserving family from each walk to serve as the Honored Family. Please read more about these teams below!

 

Beacon Honored Family

Glucose Guru’s

This year we are honoring the Suneson’s from the Hudson Valley for our 2014 Beacon Walk to Cure Diabetes. When Andrew Suneson was diagnosed with T1D in 2005 at age 12, it unfortunately wasn’t his family’s first experience with the disease.  Three members on his mom’s side of the family all had T1D. During the Suneson’s stay at the hospital, they learned about the Walk to Cure Diabetes and decided to join the Diabetes Wellness Center‘s team. They had a great experience and, after a few years, created their own small team, Andrew’s Avengers.  Over the years, this name morphed into The Glucose Guru’s, in memory of Andrew’s aunt Carol, a Type One diabetic, and grew to be a team that included the entire extended family.  The Suneson’s are very involved in all aspects of JDRF, including being a part of the walk committee and volunteering wherever they are needed. Andrew is now 21 and will be transferring to SUNY New Paltz to finish his degree in Graphic Design. The Glucose Guru’s are celebrating their 10th walk season with a total of over $20,000 raised for JDRF.

 

Norwalk Honored Family

Kimberly’s Klan

We are proud to announce Kimberly’s Klan and the Collis family of Monroe, CT, as our 2014 honored family for the Norwalk Walk to Cure Diabetes. Kimberly’s Klan was formed in 2004 after Kimberly was diagnosed with diabetes at age 27 months and has been participating in the Walk to Cure Diabetes for the 11 years since. Kimberly’s grandmother, Joanne Erdmann, is the team captain and is very involved in JDRF, including helping with the Kids Walk, volunteering on Walk Day and at other chapter fundraisers, and participating on the outreach committee.  When Kimberly was in 5th grade, her school participated in the Kid’s Walk and she was named Kid’s Walk Ambassador in 2012. Kimberly loves dance, plays the viola, and has a black belt in Tae Kwando. Kimberly also enjoys attending the Clara Barton Diabetes Camp each year. To date Kimberly’s Klan has raised $114,570.00.

 

Westchester Honored Family

William’s Walkers

The White Family of White Plains, NY, is fun-loving and enjoys getting together with family and friends, playing and watching baseball, taking day trips to New York City for sightseeing and adventure, and partaking in outings at the beach. This year they are being honored at the 2014 Westchester Walk to Cure Diabetes. In December 2009, around his fourth birthday and about one week before Christmas, William was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Although life as he knew it changed forever, William enjoys a variety of activities and interests including baseball and taking a hip-hop dance class, and is a busy, fun-loving eight-year old who handles his diabetes with an amazing attitude and grace. With the support of the school nurse and physical education teacher, William’s school held a JDRF Kids Walk back in 2012 where approximately $4,500 was raised and diabetes awareness was generated. This October, William’s Walkers will be participating in their fifth JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.  Each year the team is comprised of caring family and friends who come out and join to show their support in finding a cure.  Whether they are there in person or in spirit, they have contributed generously, helping William’s Walkers to raise approximately $60,000 in the last four years.

 

Ridgefield Honored Family

Julia’s Angels

Our 2014 Honored Family for the Ridgefield Walk is the Tierney family of Julia’s Angels. Julia was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2002 a few weeks before her third birthday.   Living in Texas at the time, the family joined the Fort Worth JDRF Chapter and walked with a friend’s team.  In 2003, they formed their family walk team, Julia’s Angels, and have walked every year since.  When the Tierney’s moved to Connecticut in 2004, they joined the Fairfield County Chapter, walking in Stamford, Norwalk and Ridgefield. They continue to have tremendous support from family and friends who have joined them year after year. Julia is now 15 and a sophomore at Ridgefield High School. She plays on the field hockey team, runs for the track team, and is involved in student government. She enjoys babysitting, especially for children with diabetes, with whom she shares a special bond. In addition to the Walk, the Tierney’s attend the Gala annually, host an annual poker tournament, Julia’s dad, Mark, is a member of the JDRF Board and participates in the Golf Tournament, and Julia’s mom, Kathleen, does chapter outreach for newly diagnosed families. Julia’s Angels has raised over $125,000 to date.