High noon for JDRF

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) rounded up supporters (including the Fox's Mitch Belanger) at the Best Western Friday Night to lasso funds for a cure with the 2nd Annual Halloween Hold’em Poker Tournament.

In the spirit of Halloween guests were encouraged to sport their best western duds and strap on a six shooter or two.

“We have more folks in costume this year,” notes Denise Stanley, Fundraising Coordinator of the JDRF.

Meanwhile the Northeast Area Manager Byron James says that with researchers being on the brink of discovering a cure, the JDRF have been on an aggressive fundraising campaign that has them at goal ahead of schedule.

“Researchers won’t put a date on it but they say type one diabetes (juvenile diabetes) will be the first auto-immune disease cured.”

“They announced this week that Research to Reality will retire one year early as we are almost at the one billion dollar goal,” he states.

“And it is through events like put on like this one that have helped us get there ... people get value for their donation and they are helping JDRF at the same time.”

Not only did the fun filled night offer a chance to win a diamond from Whitman’s Jewellery, but it also had everything from live music, silent auction, gourmet dinner and a very competitive poker tournament, of which the winner takes home a trophy for their efforts.

Juvenile Diabetes affects mainly young children, although adults have been diagnosed with it as well. People with juvenile diabetes deal with multiple insulin injections and blood tests each day and run the risk of developing heart and/or kidney disease, as well as vision issues or loss.