Area businesses joined motorcycle enthusiasts in cruising for a cure this weekend during the sixth annual Katie’s Krew Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Poker Run.
The Katie’s Krew JDRF Poker Run is an annual benefit ride to raise funding and awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which is working to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through support of research.
Katie’s Krew member Roger Ruggieri told The Union-Recorder that in its sixth year the charity ride brought together 133 people on 79 motorcycles and in three cars to raise “just a shade under $6,000.” That amount puts Katie’s Krew’s six-year total to about $26,000 raised for diabetes research.
“Even with the economy the worst it [has] ever been, it’s truly amazing how people opened their hearts to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes,” Ruggieri said. “We had a great time, it was the best ever.”
Katie’s Krew was started in December 2003 when Ruggieri’s granddaughter Katie Peaspanen was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which is more commonly known as juvenile diabetes. Ruggieri said watching his young granddaughter having to give herself as many as five shots a day would bring tears to his eyes, but it also pushed him in the direction of finding something he could do to help.
Ruggieri’s son Christopher came up with the idea of putting together a charity motorcycle run to raise money for juvenile diabetes research.
“Motorcycle people are really open-hearted,” Ruggieri said. “Their generosity is unmatched; motorcycle enthusiasts donate millions to charities every year.”
But Ruggieri said that a number of local businesses have also stepped up to make Katie’s Krew a success and to put money toward finding a cure for juvenile diabetes.
Ruggieri said there were 27 local companies that donated at least $75 each to this year’s Katie’ Krew JDRF Poker Run. Local manufacturer Vought Aircraft Industries donated $1,500 toward Saturday’s ride.
“There is nothing in the world we could do without the people and sponsors who were generous enough to donate their time and efforts to make this event a success,” Ruggieri said.
Donations to Katie’s Krew are still being accepted through its Web site at www.katieskrew.org.
“Our dollars are making a difference, and we are seeing results in a better life for people with diabetes,” Ruggieri said.
Business
Katie’s Krew thanks supporters for successful poker run
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