Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: THURSDAY, March 31, 1994 TAG: 9403310151 SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-13 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: By RANDY WALKER SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In 1978, Redding had held the organizational meeting of the Roanoke Valley chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. The meeting was held in Redding's home on Walnut Road, Salem, and was attended by only three other people.
Now Redding was standing at the podium of the Jefferson Club, addressing 138 JDF supporters, including many of the valley's top business leaders. As Redding told of her daughter's struggle with diabetes, she was momentarily overcome with emotion.
Redding, who now lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C., returned to Roanoke March 25 to help kick off "Walk for the Cure," the annual JDF fund-raiser.
Redding and her husband, Dave, are originally from Ohio. In the early 1970s they were living in Charleston, W.Va., when Redding noticed something wrong with their 5-year-old daughter, Keri.
"She was drinking more fluids, very lethargic, her breathing was heavy," Redding says. The doctor did not seem concerned, but to placate Redding he performed a blood test. The results showed that Keri had diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects the body's ability to manufacture and utilize insulin, a hormone necessary for the conversion of food into energy. People with juvenile diabetes - also called insulin-dependent or Type I diabetes - must take daily injections of insulin to survive.
Keri did not understand why she had to take shots. "She was yelling and screaming," Redding says. "Neighbors had to come over and hold her down so we could give her a shot."
Even with insulin, diabetes can lead to kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, blindness and amputations. The desire for a cure led parents of diabetic children to form the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in 1970. Last year, JDF funded more than $18.5 million in diabetes research.
The money is allocated by a research committee composed of medical professionals, lay volunteers and a director of research, according to Stephen Leonard, national walk program manager for JDF International.
Researchers are tantalizingly close to a cure, Leonard says. "We believe by the year 2000 we have a better than 50/50 chance of finding a cure for diabetes."
Most of the research money is raised by local chapters. This year, the Roanoke Valley chapter hopes to raise $150,000 through "Walk for the Cure." The chapter has already banked $50,000 thanks to an anonymous donor.
"We really do not know [who it was]," says Don Stanley, president of the Roanoke Valley JDF. "A friend of mine called a week before Christmas. He said, `Do you need some money?' I said, `Yes, we do.' "
Raising money isn't the only function of JDF. The group also offers education and emotional support to diabetics and their families.
By the time Redding left Roanoke in 1983, the local chapter had 65 to 80 members. Today, it has about 400 members and a mailing list of 2,000. Hundreds of patients and families have been helped, says Beth Stanley, the walk coordinator.
Jackie Redding's investment in JDF has paid off in a very personal way. Her daughter, Keri, now 27, has lost an eye to diabetes, but the other eye was saved through a surgical technique developed through JDF-funded diabetes research.
"Keri would have been blind by now without funds for this disease," Redding says. "I thank God every day for JDF."
"Walk for the Cure" will be held May 15, starting at the Roanoke City Market. Walkers solicit sponsors for flat donations or per-kilometer pledges. For information on walkathon, call 345-0343. For information on the services of call the Roanoke Valley chapter at 989-6627.
by CNB