Dogs and children played big roles in Ron Santo's life. Here he is with his grandson Sam and three dogs, from left: Hanna, Joker and Summer.
Courtesy of Vicki Santo
This diabetes-alert Labrador retriever named Nash does more than go to school with Cody, on the left here with his parents and younger brother. The dog recently alerted another student of a serious change in blood-sugar levels.
Courtesy of Alert Service Dogs
Following through on the Hall of Fame induction that immortalized Cubs legend Ron Santo, the third-baseman's widow, Vicki Santo, says she wants to "extend his legacy" by promoting diabetes-alert dogs that warn patients of serious changes in their blood-sugar levels.
Associated Press
DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO Always one to pump up the crowd and himself when it came to his beloved Cubs, popular third-baseman-turned-broadcaster Ron Santo also raised millions for diabetes research.
This dog named Joker could be scared by Ron Santo's big personality and booming voice, but when the outspoken advocate for people with diabetes once suffered a life-threatening drop in blood-sugar levels, Joker alerted Santo's wife in time for her to help him.
Courtesy of Vicki Santo
This 4½-month-old border collie named Razor is in training at Alert Service Dogs to become a diabetes-alert dog that can warn patients of serious changes in blood-sugar levels. One of these dogs will be auctioned off Saturday at the JDRF fundraiser in Chicago.
Courtesy of Alert Service Dogs
About this Article
On the second anniversary of Ron Santo's death Monday, the Cubs legend's widow says that she couldn't be more excited about “extending his legacy” by pushing a cause “Ron would have loved.” The Ron and Vicki Santo Diabetes-Alert Dog Foundation is in the final stages of becoming a nonprofit charity with a goal of helping people with diabetes buy alert dogs that could save their lives by literally sniffing out dangerous blood-sugar levels, Vicki says.Latest Galleries
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