Newtown Resident Raising Funds For Diabetes Walk

By Tanjua Damon

Newtown resident Betty Presnell is trying to raise funds in sponsorship of her planned walk of 26.2 miles during a Team Diabetes event this coming June in Kona, Hawaii.

Team Diabetes is a marathon training and fundraising event that raises money for the American Diabetes Association’s research, information, and advocacy programs.

In order for Ms Presnell to participate in the walk, she has to raise $4,300. She is asking the community to help her raise these funds so she can make the trip and walk the marathon to help people whose lives are affected by the disease.

Ms Presnell’s stepson Eric Merrill has diabetes. She also has friends with diabetes and feels it is important to help out as much as she can.

“It’s important, I feel, to try to raise money however we can to combat these diseases,” she said. “The more people know about it, the more they are willing to help.”

Ms Presnell is not taking this charitable event lightly. She is willing to do whatever she has to do to be in Hawaii to walk on June 24, 2001.

“In addition to donations, I am willing to do errands, work, within reason of course,” she said. “I’ll pick up people’s recyclable cans for them in lieu of a donations. This is a lot of money for me to raise. I’m willing to do my share of the work. I just don’t want to say ‘give me your money.’”

“This is really involved. You have to meet with chiropractors and trainers,” she said. “But I’m really excited about it.”

Ms Presnell plans to put up a needle in her front lawn on 86 Boulevard Extension to symbolize diabetes and to show people how far she has come with her fundraising efforts. Anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of someone may do so and she will wear that person’s name on her shirt during the walk.

If you wish to help Ms Presnell out with raising funds for the diabetes walk, please send your check to the American Diabetes Association, Connecticut Office, Attn Melanie Costa, 300 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450. In the memo area on the check please write Betty Presnell so that credit will go toward her fundraising efforts. For more information about the marathon, contact Ms Costa at 877/639-0385, ext 3533.