For the entire month of September, we are featuring the JDRF Walk to
Cure Diabetes on our T1D Tuesday Blog! We will be interviewing Walk Team
Captains from around the country, who will share their experiences on
how they started their team and how they became successful at
fundraising.

Today meet JDRF Walk Team Captain, Rachel of Brown Sugar

T1Nation: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Rachel: I am a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Diabetes Educator. I am on the JDRF Young Leaders Board in Nashville, TN and am also on the JDRF Type 1 Diabetes Voices Council.

T1Nation: Who do you Walk for? When were they diagnosed and at what age?
Rachel: I walk for my husband. He was diagnosed with T1D in 2009 at age 24, the month after we were married. I picked up on his symptoms and knew those were all the signs of diabetes/high blood sugars and then he was diagnosed.
 
T1Nation: What is your team name? How did you come up with the name?
Rachel: Our last name is Brown…and sugar because we are sweet and awesome and it ties in diabetes into the name!

T1Nation: Where is your JDRF Walk location?
Rachel: Nashville, TN – JDRF Middle Tennessee Chapter

T1Nation: How many years have you participated in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes?
Rachel: JDRF walks since 2010.

T1Nation: To date, how much has your team raised?
Rachel: We have raised about $9,000 since 2010

T1Nation: What do you love most about the event?
Rachel: I love most all the support and comradery at the events- we are not alone!

T1Nation: Please share your tips on how others can get involved in joining/fundraising.  What has worked best for you?
Rachel: Do something unique and be sure to thank all of those who have donated. We did a unique ‘taste tripping’ party where you have these tablets that make everything sour taste sweet! It was a real hit! We charged $10 a tablet as a suggested donation and most people donated more.

T1Nation: Anything else you feel that could help others in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes?
Rachel: My husband started a design company where we give a portion of our proceeds to JDRF. He has also made an infographic that has been shared by Chef Sam Talbot on Facebook! Just this year, Type1Design has been able to donate over $1400 to the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes in Nashville, TN.
 
Get involved in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes in your community. Visit http://walk.jdrf.org to sign up today!