Team DRI Walk/Run/Ride at Seaford's Cedar Creek Park supports diabetes research

The fourth annual Team DRI Walk/Run/Ride brought together participants at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford on Saturday, Sept. 14, to raise funds and awareness for type 1 diabetes research.

Organized by Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) Northeast Board Chairman John Carrion and Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, the event aimed to support the pursuit of a cure for juvenile diabetes.

Participants of all ages chose their pace and distance, with the option to walk, run, or bike along a scenic route from Cedar Creek Park to Jones Beach. The event offered a flexible and family-friendly environment.

“We wanted to make it safe for everyone — bike riders, walkers, little kids. It’s a safe environment,” Carrion said.

The event, which began in 2019, has raised more than $250,000 for DRIF’s mission. Last year alone, over $100,000 was collected, and this year the goal was even higher, with hopes of surpassing $150,000. More than 125 participants joined the effort, contributing to the foundation’s mission of advancing research toward a cure for type 1 diabetes.

For Carrion, the cause is deeply personal. His son, Jake, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 4, which inspired Carrion’s involvement in diabetes advocacy.

DeRiggi-Whitton, whose child was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes around the same time, has supported the event since its inception.

“As parents of young children with diabetes, we have both been intently focused on finding a cure and conquering this disease once and for all,” she wrote in a news release. “I am so proud of all that John has done.”

Carrion highlighted the progress made in diabetes care, noting the improvements in treatment and the quality of life for patients like his son.

“You’re not alone,” he said. “There’s a community out there, and we can help with care and raising money.”