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104 Detroit Jewish News
/Health
Rain Doesn't Dampen
Diabetes Fund Run
RENA FULKA
Special to The Jewish News
Photos by E. Susan Shc
"ElderLink
connects me
with the
services I need."
A
steady rain coincided with
the start of Jared and
Adam's Run for a Cure '98
on July 19 at West Bloom-
field's Keith Park.
Though some sought cover in
their cars or beneath the concession
stand awning, most of the 150 sup-
porters grabbed umbrellas or donned
plastic trash bag "raingear" to finish
either the five-mile jog or the three-
mile walk/inline-skating course. Their
quest was to raise much-needed funds
for research aimed at curing juvenile
diabetes, an illness that afflicts broth-
ers Jared and Adam Grodman of
West Bloomfield.
Within an hour of the 10:30 a.m.
starting time, just as most supporters
were completing their events, the
skies began to clear.
"The rain took us by surprise, but
it was nothing too major," said Andi
Wolfe of West Bloomfield, who led a
team of inline skaters and stroller-
pushers. "It didn't stop us from hav-
ing a good time. The kids played
baseball and everyone was enjoying
everyone's company."
Among the participants, ranging in
age from 1 to 65, were Channel 7
sports anchor Don Shane, who took
time out to sign T-shirts, and former
Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Rip-
ple, who distributed autographed
photos to the crowd.
•
Four-color T-shirts publicizing the
event were available-to all donors. An
appreciation lunch was provided
courtesy of Leo's Coney Island.
Event-goers expanded the menu with
donations of fruits and baked goods.
Water was donated by 7-Eleven.
The family-oriented walk to cure
diabetes has been drawing consistent-
ly large crowds since it was first
brought to the community park five
years ago. This year's event raised
$8,200, and contributions are still
rolling in.
Neighbor Bruce Clayton was
among the highest pledgers, bringing
in $1,250 from outside sponsors and
another $750 from an office pool at
Bozell Worldwide in Southfield,
where he works as an advertising vice
president.
"It's a way to do something nice
for good friends and a way to give
something to the two boys," said
Clayton, a member of Adat Shalom
Synagogue. "People really care for
them and they know that it's a cause
Keith Elementary School. Three-year-
worth fighting for. Running five miles
old Adam attends the Eugene and
is easy compared to what kids with
Marcia Applebaum Beth Hayeled
diabetes have to go through on a
nursery school, where teacher Cheryl
daily basis."
Bocknek checks his blood
Dr. Scott and Karyn Grod-
three times a week.
man began the Juvenile Dia-
Umbrellas
There are times, Grod-
betes Foundation fund-raiser
sprouted when it
in West Bloomfield when their started to rain, man says, when she feels iso-
lated in her struggle to keep
eldest son, Jared, was diag-
but the fund-
nosed with the condition at 14
raiser went off her boys healthy. Support
months of age. The couple
without a hitch. from family and friends
seems to ease the burden.
attended the Foundation's
"We're all trying to help
Walk for a Cure at Kensington
in
every
way
possible," said sister-in-
Metropark in Milford, then set out to
law Jodi Grodman of West Bloom-
create awareness of the disease closer
field. "At birthday parties, everybody
to home.
has learned to set something aside for
"We sent out flyers to family and
Jared and Adam, like sugar-free ice
close friends," recalled Karyn Grod-
,,
cream.
man, whose initial efforts drew 50
The New York-based juvenile Dia-
individuals. "That first event brought
betes
Foundation International,
a warm feeling from so many people
founded
in 1970, gives more money
who were willing to help. That's what
directly
to
diabetes research than any
we needed, my husband and I, the
other private health agency world-
support from our friends to get us
wide. Some 160 annual walkathons
through this."
are held across the country, drawing
Since Jared's diagnosis, Grodman
300,000 participants and funneling
has had to restrict her son's diet, check
$35 million toward diabetes research.
his blood sugar levels at least four times
The
Grodman-sponsored walks have
a day and administer a minimum of
netted
nearly $25,000.
two insulin injections daily. Her at-
The couple are grateful' for all the
home responsibilities doubled when
support. "Jared is realizing that all
the couple's younger son, Adam, was
these people are there for them," said
diagnosed with the condition shortly
Karyn Grodman. "But Adam doesn't
after his first birthday.
get it yet."
It is unknown how the siblings
How close are researchers to find-
developed the illness, which afflicts
ing
a cure for the illness, which is a
16 million Americans. Complications
leading
cause of death in the United
include heart and kidney disease,
States?
"There's
nothing immediate,
stroke, blindness, loss of limbs and
but
maybe
in
the
future," said Karyn
nerve damage.
Grodman. "I have to have hope." ❑
"It's something you don't grow out
of," said Grodman. "My children will
have it for the rest of their lives."
To help find a juvenile diabetes
• The Grodmans are members of
cure, call Scott or Karyn Cro(I-
Shaarey Zedek B'nai Israel Center in
man at (248) 360-8637.
West Bloomfield. Jared, 5, attends