The DRI Walk for Diabetes & Family Fun Day Presented by Walgreens: Stepping Up to Help Find a Cure for Diabetes

"The Biggest Loser" RunWalk Race Series and "The Biggest Loser" Resorts to Sponsor a 5K and 10k Race at Annual Event that Raises Funds for Diabetes Research Institute

News provided by

Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

Mar 05, 2015, 11:44 ET

MIAMI, March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation and the nation's largest drugstore chain, Walgreens, are teaming up for the annual DRI Walk for Diabetes & Family Fun Day for the fifth consecutive year. Thousands are expected to once again lace up their sneakers for this marquee event – which will be held Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Marlins Park in Miami, home to the Miami Marlins. Another walk will take place simultaneously at Tradition Square in Port St. Lucie – both walks will help raise critical funds for the Diabetes Research Institute, the best hope for a cure.

To date, the DRI Walk for Diabetes & Family Fun Day has raised more than $1.5 million through its partnership with Walgreens for the cure-focused work of the Diabetes Research Institute, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. This annual fundraising event is supported each year by teams of families affected by diabetes; individuals; company teams; Walgreens employees and customers; volunteers; corporate sponsors; and media partners.

Participants can expect fun-filled events focused on health and fitness for the whole family, where they'll get to enjoy bounce houses, outdoor games, face painting, live music, health booths, and giveaways. Once again, at the Marlins Park location only, "The Biggest Loser" RunWalk Race Series will host a chip-timed 5K, 10K as well as a kids one-mile fun run, sponsored by "The Biggest Loser" Resort. Packet pick-up will open at 7:00 a.m.; the 5K and 10K will begin at 8:00 a.m. Winner Toma Dobrosavljevic and finalist Sonya Jones from NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Glory Days" will be on hand to cheer on the participants as they run and walk to the finish line. Everyone registered will receive a running shirt, finisher's medal, free downloadable race photos and more! A grand prize raffle will award three lucky winners with a weeklong stay for two at "The Biggest Loser" Resort, which has locations in Chicago, Niagara, NY and Amelia Island, FL. In addition, trainers, life coaches and nutritionists from "The Biggest Loser" Resort will be on site to give participants information on the world-class, results-oriented "The Biggest Loser" Resort program designed to encourage, inspire and empower guests to reach and maintain their lifestyle goals.

"Diabetes affects more than 29 million people in our country, and nine percent of the people in Miami. Walgreens is committed to helping people get, stay and live well. We invite the South Florida community to join us at the DRI Walk for Diabetes & Family Fun Day and help us raise awareness and much needed funds to support the work of the Diabetes Research Institute," said Roy Ripak, Market Vice President for Walgreens.

"Last year was our biggest yet in this event's history, thanks to the tremendous support of all the families involved and the longstanding and wonderful partnership with Walgreens," said DRI Foundation President and CEO Joshua W. Rednik. "We're extremely grateful and can't wait to see everyone rally together again this year for another record-breaking walk that will help us get one step closer to our goal of curing diabetes."

Top sponsors for the DRI Walk for Diabetes & Family Fun Day include, Walgreens, Neutrogena Suncare, Coca-Cola, Island Planet, Pepsi, Red Bull, Frito-Lay, Chelly Cosmetics, Bettina, Omni Pod, Gold Coast and others.

The fundraising effort will not end on event day, it will continue throughout the month of March 2015. All Walgreens South Florida stores from Port St. Lucie down to the Florida Keys will invite their customers to support their efforts by purchasing a DRI branded "scannable" in the amounts of $1, $5 and $10. Customers who purchase a "scannable" and write their name on top will be recognized on a display on the store's walls for all employees and customers to see. All proceeds from the "scannable" sales will benefit the Diabetes Research Institute, which is the largest and most comprehensive research center dedicated to curing diabetes.

Anyone interested in supporting either event through sponsorship or creating and/or joining a team can stop by the closest Walgreens store for a brochure, visit WalgreensWalkDRI.org, or call the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at 1-800-321-3437 for more information.

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SOURCE Diabetes Research Institute Foundation