Nov. 4, 2009
COLUMBIA – South Carolina’s swimming and diving team took advantage of a weekend off from competition to assist with the Palmetto Walk to Cure Diabetes on Sunday, Oct. 25, in downtown Columbia. A group of approximately 25 Gamecock student-athletes and coaches volunteered their time to help the cause.
The team spent several hours before the walk assisting with unloading trucks, setting up tents and tables for registration, food, and other activities in preparation for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation event. It was one of many community service efforts undertaken by the team this season, which also included passing out baked goods to local firefighters on Sept. 11.
Sophomore swimmer Lydia Hackert spearheaded the team’s effort. Active with JDRF since middle school and further inspired by a high school teammate with juvenile diabetes, the native of Centerville, Ohio, organized the group of her teammates to help out with the Palmetto chapter of JDRF.
“In high school, I became very good friends with a girl on my swim team who had juvenile diabetes,” Hackert said. “Jessica and her family were active with JDRF, and through them, I was able to help out even more with the JDRF cause. Jessica was an inspiration to me throughout high school.”
Wallace Black of the JDRF was in charge of the volunteers and said that the swim team helped out more than anyone could have imagined.
“They were the biggest asset we had that day,” Black said. “They came out early on a Sunday morning and worked really hard to make sure we had everything set up. They got everything done from setting up tents, chairs, tables…you name it. They were eager to help – whenever they finished something, they were asking for more. I really can’t say enough about this group. We definitely appreciated having them there.”
Executive Director of the Palmetto JDRF chapter, Dana Bruce, said that the Gamecocks’ efforts helped organize the event that has currently raised more than $200,000.
“Our goal is around $500,000,” Bruce said. “Historically our walk brings in anywhere from $200,000-250,000, but people continue to turn in money through May. The swim team was amazing helping out with setup. We had close to 2,000 walkers, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research, including more than $156 million in 2008. In 2008, the Foundation funded more than 1,000 centers, grants in laboratories, hospitals and industry, and fellowships in 22 countries. More than 85 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education.
