FARMINGTON -- For Stephanie Lovell of Farmington, the 2014 Farmington Walk to Cure Diabetes had a little more meaning to her this year.
Her 8-year-old son, Beau, was recently diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes.
"I've come in the past but have a little more of a vested interest this year," said Lovell, following the annual walk to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Beau exhibited the classic symptoms for Type 1 diabetes. He was thirsty and drank lots of water, had to go to the bathroom a lot and did not have any energy.
The telling sign, Lovell said, was when he lost a lot of weight.
She took him to the doctor and he was immediately sent to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Lovell, her husband and Beau then went through two days of education to learn how to deal with the disease.
She said it was overwhelming but since has been amazed by the number of people who are affected by diabetes, whether through a diagnosis or families dealing with it.
She is grateful her family lives in Farmington because of the support for diabetes in the community.
The 10th annual Farmington Walk to Cure, held Sept. 23, started out cold, probably the coldest in all 10 years. However, people showed up ready to go, dressed warmly in sweatshirts and jackets.
A highlight of this year's Walk was a special presentation to Tonya Darnell of Farmington. She received a plaque for her continued commitment to raise money for JDRF. Darnell and her mother, Vickie Darnell, brought in $462 for this year's walk. Tonya did not know she was going to be recognized and was overwhelmed by the presentation.
Tonya has walked all 10 years, raising more than $3,000 during that time. Her mother said she raises the money by asking lots of folks for donations, including friends at church, aunts and uncles.
The 10th Walk raised almost $14,000 and about 525 people walked in the 5K. This year's money came from walkers' donations, a live auction, basket auction and fundraisers sponsored by various businesses in town. The number of walkers was down this year but Robyn Winkle, Derek's mother, said that was not reflected in the giving.
"It was a great day," she said. "We were so appreciative of everyone coming out on a cold, dreary morning."
Two families, the Winkles and Baileys, started the Farmington Walk to Cure 10 years ago. Their children, Oakley Bailey, and Derek Winkle, were 9 years-old when they were diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes. Today, they are both 24.
The Walk included a display that showed photos and walk T-shirts from the past 15 years. The families first participated in the Tulsa Walk to Cure and then participated in the Fayetteville Walk to Cure before organizing one in Farmington in 2005.
As she was ironing t-shirts for the display, Robyn Winkle said she was reminded of many good memories from each walk. At the same time, though, she said it brought back the reality of how long the children have been dealing with Type 1 diabetes.
Donations to the research foundation are making a difference, she said, because she sees the difference in her own son's life because of improved technology.
Derek Winkle said he is not surprised Farmington is celebrating its 10th Walk to Cure because of the community.
Oakley Bailey also expressed her gratitude, saying, "I"m blown away every year by the support we get."
The day of the walk, Sept. 23, was the 15th anniversary of when Oakley was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. The one thing she's noticed over the years is that people are more aware of the disease and have more respect for it, she said.
General News on 09/24/2014