Saturday walk in Buffalo Grove fights diabetes

Team Koops, organized on behalf of Jared Kuper, 12, of Northbrook, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes four years ago, is the lead fundraising group for a walk this Saturday in Buffalo Grove to raise money to fight the disease.

Jared’s family learned just how serious diabetes can be when he went into a diabetic coma and stopped breathing. Luckily, his disease was caught before it had done any serious damage to his organs, and he’s now working to keep his blood glucose levels under control. He tests his blood glucose up to 15 times a day and takes insulin whenever he eats.

More than 1,500 family members, friends, community and corporate leaders, and community members will join the Stop Diabetes movement by participating in the American Diabetes Association’s signature event, Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes Sept. 28 at Didier Farms.

Team Koops already has raised more than $100,000. This year, Team Koops’ goal is to raise an additional $10,000. The association uses all the money from the walk to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes; deliver services to hundreds of communities; provide objective and credible information; and give voices to those denied their rights because of diabetes.

In January of 2010, Jared was named one of two 2010 Youth Ambassadors for the ADA for Illinois and Northern Indiana.

In June of 2013, Jared was recognized as the winner of ADA’s Share award, for his sharing of stories, experiences and hope for a cure. He inspires others to join the movement.

Jared also is an ADA Youth Action Council Member, traveling to educate people about diabetes and raise awareness.  

While Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented with proper diet and exercise and he wants to help spread that message.

Nearly 26 million Americans — including 1 million in Illinois — have diabetes. While an estimated 18.8 million have been diagnosed, 7 million people are unaware that they have the disease. If current trends continue, one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050.

Team Koops has been a pioneer in the American Diabetes Association signature event, Step Out to Stop Diabetes for years now and his efforts are stronger and stronger every year! Visit Team Koops page at http://main.diabetes.org/goto/teamkoops.

To register for the walk, volunteer or for more information, visit diabetes.org/stepout or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Information is available in English and Spanish.