Morgantown diabetes walk breaks national donation record

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — For the second year in a row, a Morgantown fundraiser for type one diabetes research broke a new donation record on Saturday during its event at the Mylan Park Aquatic Center.

So far, volunteers for the “ Breakthrough T1D Walk ” have raised $112,278, the most money raised at a community event in the organization’s history. According to organizers, this event broke the same record last year when it raised $110,437 in 2023.

Emily Smaniotto, an event organizer who also works as the coordinator for Ruby Memorial Hospital’s Diabetes Education Center, said the event is a testament to Morgantown’s large amount of support for those with type one diabetes.

“Type one is so big here in Morgantown,” Smaniotto said. “There’s tons of support for those with type one, so that’s the big thing, just knowing how much support is here within our community.”

Before the walk began, speakers recounted their own experience with type one diabetes, including WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker, whose daughter was diagnosed with type one diabetes two years ago.

Breakthrough T1D is a nonprofit focused on type one diabetes research. Donations from today’s walk will help fund research to cure type one diabetes, but will also fund the technology used to treat diabetes like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.

Even though the walk itself is over, you can still donate to the event here .

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