Jump to Cure Diabetes is a national JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) fundraising event that takes place from February to March each year. The Canberra event is one of thirteen Jump to Cure Diabetes events that take place around the country, with many jumpers deciding that 2014 is the year for taking a daring ‘bucket list’ challenge. Participants will complete a tandem skydive, the fastest non-motorised sport in the world, while raising funds for medical research into type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Team Gungahlin is a group of seven residents from Gungahlin, ACT, who will be completing the tandem skydive on Saturday. Collectively, the team has raised nearly $10,000 for type 1 diabetes research. Commenting on the upcoming jump, Mark Scarborough, team leader said: “There is so much we can do to improve the lives of people with type 1 diabetes. I’m not a thrill seeker or an adrenalin junkie, but I hate needles and I am hopeful that raising money for further research into type 1 diabetes will mean that kids will no longer have to use needles to control their insulin levels in the future.”
JDRF Australia CEO Mike Wilson said: “Jump to Cure Diabetes is a wonderful opportunity to experience the thrill of a tandem skydive and raise money for research into curing, treating and preventing T1D, an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults and lasts a lifetime. We want to get closer to finding a cure and improve people’s lives along the way. Events like this are crucial for reaching that goal.”
The tandem skydive starts with a training session by qualified instructors and a scenic plane flight of the local area. Then securely attached to a highly experienced instructor, participants will enjoy seconds of exhilarating free fall, reaching speeds of up to 240km per hour soaring over amazing views of the local area under a parachute built for two. Each participant has raised $1,250 from their local community. These funds will allow JDRF to support Australian research projects to cure, treat and prevent T1D.
You can support Team Gungahlin by donating here: http://jdrf.org.au/teamgungahlin1 Everyone is welcome to come and watch the skydivers land at the oval next to the Mint in Deakin. The first group will be landing at 11am.
Loading ...
