Libertyville diabetes walkers get backing of their No. 1 fan: Ron Santo

It was definitely a party atmosphere.

Balloons, food tents, a DJ blasting dance tunes, it seemed like a celebration.

You wouldn't guess a debilitating disease is what brought these folks together.

The 31st annual Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes was held at Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville on Sunday morning.

Nearly 3,000 people, from toddlers to seniors, walked a 5K loop under cloudy skies, stiff winds and temperatures in the lower 40s.

Long time Chicago Cub great and event founder Ron Santo was on hand to sign autographs and rally the walkers.

"I just love seeing all the people coming out to support this," Santo said. "We've raised $60 million since this walk started. The treatment has come so far."

Santo has battled Type 1 diabetes since his teens and through his 14-year career in baseball. Currently a play-by-play announcer for WGN radio, the former third baseman has had both legs amputated below the knee after complications from the disease.

"The young kids getting diagnosed now will have far less to worry about later in life," Santo said.

The Libertyville walk was one of five scheduled in the Chicago area. Organizers have a goal to raise $5.6 million this year. Funds raised from the events are donated to the New York-based, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Brightly colored T-shirts identified both corporate and family teams. Team names were chosen to honor a friend or family member.

"Gracie's Angels, Pete's Peeps, Coles Crusaders, Katie's Crew and Marco's Maniacs," to name a few.

The largest family team this year was "Lauren's Walkers." The nearly 140 members were there on behalf of 16-year-old Lauren Hermsen of Gurnee who lives with the disease. Hermsen's mom, Julie said this is the 14th year they've assembled a team.

"We've raised almost $400,000 in those years," she said. "Lauren wants to find that cure."

Seeing dozens of her high school friends from Woodlands Academy in Lake Forest show up, encouraged Lauren.

"I know there are so many people supporting me in this effort, but to see them all at the same time is a visual reinforcement of what I already knew," she said.

Patrick Reedy, executive director of the foundation's Illinois chapter, said money raised in the past has helped lead to such potential breakthroughs as a type of "smart insulin" which activates itself when it encounters glucose, and an "artificial pancreas," which is a portable glucose monitor that could be worn by a diabetes patient.

Those advancements have come too late for members of Danny's Team.

Nearly 40 people were walking to honor Danny Pieger, of McHenry who died two years ago. The walkers included Danny's father, John. He said his misses his son but doesn't look at the event in a somber way.

"It's not a sad thing. It's a happy thing," Pieger said. "And having Ron Santo here really makes the day."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=326400">Diabetes walk in Lisle draws new, old supporters <span class="date">[10/5/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>