Mega walk for diabetes research to be held at the Great Escape on opening day

The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom is now home base for the JDRF, previously the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, fundraiser walk, the organization’s premier fundraising event. The inaugural One Walk Great Escape is set for Saturday, May 12, opening day for the popular Lake George theme park.

“For many years we ran separate One Walk events in Albany and Saratoga,” explains JDRF Development Manager Danielle Unser Slater. “With so many non-profit walks held throughout the year in this region, we decided to consolidate both events into something larger and create a more unique experience.”

Registration begins at 10 a.m. with the walk stepping off at 11 a.m. Participants will travel a route through the park. Walkers who raise $100 or more will earn free admission to the park following the walk, a $60 value. Walkers who raise less than $100 will be offered discounted admission if they wish to stay and enjoy the Great Escape’s rides, games and amusements. Special VIP perks are available for those who raise $1,000 or more. Event parking is free.

May 12 is the Saturday of Mother’s Day Weekend. In recognition of this, The JDRF will provide a Moms’ Tent for mothers of children with type 1 diabetes. The tent will have massage chairs, mocktails and a flower for each mother. “Being a mother of a healthy child is a hard-enough job,” says Unser Slater. “However, being a mom of a child with T1D offers a whole different level of stress. You need to test blood sugar levels around the clock, give insulin for meals, count carbs, check on daily supplies, carry diabetes bags, fill prescriptions, visit the doctor, and the list goes on. These mothers deserve to be celebrated for everything they do to care for their children.”

The JDRF is seeking volunteers, age 14 and older, to help with the event. Volunteers will receive a volunteer t-shirt and Great Escape admission ticket after completing their shift. Volunteer sign up forms may be accessed at the JDRF website.

For more information about One Walk Great Escape and to register, visit the JDRF One Walk or call (518) 477-2873.