It is my honor to serve as the Corporate Chair of the 2020 JDRF One Walk, Las Vegas. As the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, JDRF's mission is to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. It also provides a support network for millions of people around the world impacted by T1D.

The JDRF Nevada chapter is hosting two fundraising walks on November 1 this year: One Walk, Las Vegas® and One Walk, Reno®. Nevada State Bank is hosting teams in both regions and is the presenting sponsor of the Las Vegas event. While we can’t all walk together this year because of coronavirus restrictions, we can participate virtually and support a great cause. I would be honored if you’d join me.

I encourage all Nevadans to support those impacted by this disease. In my role as Corporate Chair, I’ve learned a great deal about the impact type 1 diabetes has on children and families, as well as the great work done by JDRF, not only in making life better for those afflicted, but also in making progress toward a cure.

JDRF One Walk is an opportunity to join together to champion JDRF’s mission. Since 1992, the event has raised more than $1 billion for T1D research. It has led to life-changing drugs, treatments and devices, many of which have already moved into clinical trials and real-world testing.

Approximately 1.6 million Americans are now living with T1D, including about 200,000 people younger than 20. Each year, more than 64,000 people are diagnosed with T1D in the U.S. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle—and it's serious and stressful to manage. When you have T1D, your body stops producing insulin, a hormone essential for turning food into energy. Managing the disease is a constant struggle that involves monitoring blood-sugar levels, administering insulin, and carefully balancing these insulin doses with eating and activity, just to stay alive.

There is no way to prevent T1D and there is no cure–yet. But JDRF is working hard to change that. And that’s why our Nevada State Bank teams are supporting the JDRF One Walks this year. Walkers from all over the country are joining in a nationwide effort that unites them in this worthwhile cause. Our goal is to collectively raise $50 million in honor of the 50 years of JDRF and to walk 1.6 million miles in honor of the 1.6 million Americans currently living with T1D.

When you participate in JDRF One Walk, the money you raise supports life-changing breakthroughs that give hope to everyone impacted by this disease. You set the pace, the place, the number of miles and the dollars you raise with friends, family and colleagues. And, you'll have a great time doing it because you'll be joining a committed community that is passionate about doing whatever it takes to live in a world without T1D.

Anyone interested in helping JDRF — and also becoming more physically fit by walking — can register a team at walk.jdrf.org/reno or walk.jdrf.org/lasvegas. Then, you can start recruiting team members and raising funds while preparing for the big day. You can also join an existing team, like the ones sponsored by Nevada State Bank.

Together, we can improve lives and change the future for everyone living with this disease.

Best regards,