PELLA, IOWA — Put on your walking shoes and help raise money for diabetes research on Sat., Feb. 16, by participating in the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) walk. This year’s event starts at the Marriott in downtown Des Moines, and weaves through the skywalk system. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m.

The Greater Iowa Walk to Cure Diabetes 2013 is often Iowa’s largest single-day fundraiser for a non-profit cause, and among the largest walks per-capita for JDRF across the US, according to JDRF. Pella Corporation President and CEO and Greater Iowa Corporate Walk Chair Pat Meyer is honored to support the event.

“Our Pella Windows and Doors team is proud to have raised more than $2 million for JDRF in 10 years. It’s a highly-efficient non-profit organization that puts the bulk of dollars raised directly to research to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes,” Meyer said.

JDRF’s research mission is to “discover, develop and deliver advances that cure, better, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes.” Type 1 diabetes affects 3 million people every year in the United States, and claims an estimated 80 lives each day.

While there are two major types of diabetes, JDRF primarily supports research for type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which a pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin — a hormone that helps break down food into energy. Scientists believe that genetic and environmental factors may be involved in disease onset.

“The great thing about donating to JDRF is that you are impacting so many people’s lives for the better, especially when you take part in events like the JDRF walk,” Meyer said. “Personally, I have several friends and team members who live with this disease every day. That’s why the Pella team is dedicated to helping raise money for research, to help find a cure for diabetes.”

Jim Thomas is one Pella team member whose family is affected by type 1 diabetes.“I am personally committed to JDRF, since my daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes seven years ago,” said Thomas, director of IT operations at Pella.

Currently serving on the Greater Iowa JDRF board, Thomas will lead the board as President for a two-year term, starting in July of 2013. “I encourage people to get involved with JDRF, and appreciate all the support both within the Pella team member family and communities around us,” Thomas said.

Thomas, Meyer and other Pella team members along with an estimated 6,000 others will walk to raise money for JDRF research.

“We encourage Iowans to join us Feb. 16 in a new location at the downtown Des Moines Marriott for this lively event that gives the whole family a chance to get out, get some exercise and take in family-friendly fun while supporting JDRF,” Meyer said.

For more information about the walk or for other JDRF volunteer opportunities, visit www.jdrf.org/greateriowa.

About Pella

Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications.

As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company, Pella is known for its 88-year history of making innovative products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers.

Pella manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s®. For more information, call 888-847-3552 or visit pella.com. Follow Pella on Twitter.com @Pella_News, on Facebook at facebook.com/pellawindowsanddoors, on Pinterest at Pinterest.com/pellawindows and on YouTube at youtube.com/pellawindowsanddoors.

Source: Pella