Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada (JDRF) will officially kick off its annual Toronto Ride for Diabetes Research campaign on May 26, highlighting the need for more funds and research to continue the impressive advancements that have been made in the search for a cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.
Organizers have set a $2.5 million target for this year for Toronto, with the help of 1,500 corporate teams, primarily from the wealth management, financial services, securities, real estate, hotel and restaurant industry, as well as legal, insurance and accounting firms.
“While the ride itself may not be until September, we believe it’s never too early to increase awareness of such a worthwhile cause and to start collecting pledges,” says Judy Goldring, executive vice president, general counsel & chief operating officer of AGF Funds Inc. and co-chair of this year’s Toronto Ride. “Companies and their employees have generously supported the JDRF Ride as a way of giving back to the communities in which they live and work.”
The aim of the Toronto Ride is to assist JDRF in raising funds to help find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1diabetes is a complex disease that affects the lives of 240,000 Canadians, most of them children.
“JDRF is the leader in setting the agenda for type 1 diabetes research worldwide,” says Wendy Murray, co-chair of the Toronto Ride and Associate Vice President, Client Systems and eSolutions, Wealth Management Technology Solutions, at TD Bank Financial Group. “It is truly inspirational that the funds raised during the campaign are generated by professional groups and their unwavering generosity and enthusiasm for the JDRF Ride.”
According to the World Health Organization, Canada has the sixth highest incidence rate of type 1 diabetes in the world for children 14 years of age and younger.
There are 14 Canadian cities participating in the Ride which has a national fundraising target of $5.5 million. The 2009 Toronto Ride takes place on Friday, Sept. 25 at Nathan Phillips Square.
2009 Ride for Diabetes Research appeals to advisors to join the competition
Judy Goldring, exec VP, general counsel & COO of AGF Funds Inc., launched the 2009 Toronto Ride for Diabetes Research campaign on June 12. Albany Turner, a 10 year old with type 1 juvenile diabetes, and Aubrey Baillie, chairman for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, also spoke. Click here to watch.