Contact Information

Laurie Barker - Event Director
jinglebell5k@gmail.com
(801)381-7431

About Us

Our lives are shaped by events and experiences on a daily basis.  On November 29, 2002 our youngest daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  Since that date we have understood more fully what it means to have a loved one challenged with a chronic disease 24/7.  Modern medicine has given us hope and understanding that using the tools available this disease can be managed and our daughter can have a very normal life.  However, this comes with a huge financial burden which without health insurance would be almost impossible to maintain.

Five years after the diagnosis it was our desire to try and help bring more awareness to the work that is being done to combat this disease.  The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) defines it's mission as being "... the leader in research leading to a cure for type 1 diabetes in the world.  It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide.

The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.  Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal.  Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump - each day, every day of their lives.  And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research, including more than $156 million in FY2008.  In FY2008, the Foundation funded more than 1,000 centers, grants in laboratories, hospitals, and industry, and fellowships in 22 countries."

To that end the Jinglebell 5K (jb5k) Run/Walk was born.  In early 2008 we felt a need to create a fun event in which participants could not only enjoy a unique experience running at night, during the holiday season with bells ringing as they made their way but also give them an opportunity to donate to this worthy organization.  It is our goal to help the JDRF find a cure to this disease by contributing to the research efforts.  With the help of wonderful sponsors, fantastic volunteers and gracious participants - many of which are touched by this disease in one way or another we can work together in finding a cure.  Thank you for your willingness to participate.

JB5K Team