Event Ranks First in Nation After Reaching All-Time Fundraising High
Thanks to the support and effort of Chairman John Simmons and Simmons Hanly Conroy employees, this year’s Metro East Diabetes fundraiser, STEP OUT: Walk to Stop Diabetes, raised over $110,000, the most ever raised for the event. The result has ranked it as the most successful American Diabetes Association (ADA) walk in the nation.
Rawnie Berry, Manager of the ADA Gateway Office, recently presented John Simmons and the Firm with plaques to recognize their contributions to the 2013 walk.
“With the support of John Simmons and his firm, this year’s Metro East ‘Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes’ was able to raise $110,309 for the American Diabetes Association. Never before in the history of the event has this much been raised,” Berry said.
The event achieved a fundraising goal of 138 percent, ranking it first in the nation among ADA events that surpassed their fundraising goals. All of the funds raised stay in the Metro area and help the Association fulfill its mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes, Berry said.
Berry attributed the record-breaking result to a personal goal set by Simmons, the walk’s Corporate Recruitment Vice-Chair, and Mark Hinrichs, the walk’s Corporate Recruitment Chair to raise over $100,000 for this year’s race. The Firm was also the walk’s Presenting Sponsor.
“It’s truly humbling to see how folks can rally together for a great cause,” Simmons said. “Thanks to everyone, including our own firm employees who live with diabetes, for all of your hard work.”
Approximately 775 people attended the 2013 Step Out Walk in October on the campus of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Seventy-four teams participated in the event. The Firm team, led by Attorney Chris Levy, raised the second highest amount of $4,618.
Today, there are nearly 26 million Americans—including 22,150 in Madison County alone—who have diabetes. While an estimated 18.8 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7 million people are unaware that they have the disease. If current trends continue, one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050.
About the American Diabetes Association:
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.
Founded in 1940, the Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org.
