Santo, volunteers do walk of fame at diabetes event
The skies were overcast, but a certain old Cub's smile brightened the day for the thousands who showed up Sunday in Busse Woods to help cure diabetes.
Last year, the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes raised $5.6 million over five walks in the Chicago area. The northwest suburban location, at Busse Woods in Schaumburg, took in the largest amount, raising $1.3 million.
The walks are among more than 200 that take place across the country each year, drawing more than 500,000 walkers.
Pat Smith of Mount Prospect, who worked under the registration tent, said this year's fundraising goal is $5.8 million.
"It's been so enthusiastic, considering the weather," Smith said.
About 90 volunteers donated their time and 7,000 people registered to walk the 4-mile path in Schaumburg.
The event, in its 29th year, is run by Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. In Illinois, it's named for Santo, the former Cubs and White Sox third baseman, who was diagnosed with the disease when he was 18. He currently does color commentary on WGN-AM's Cubs' broadcasts.
"It's been unbelievable. I started 29 years ago and I can't believe we're still going," Santo said. "I'm just hoping this is the last year and that we find a cure."
Santo has already had both his legs amputated below the knee as a result of his diabetes: the right in 2001 and the left in 2002.
He is still battling the disease, which causes the body to improperly regulate its blood sugar level. Diabetes afflicts 20.8 million people in the U.S., according to the American Diabetes Association.
The walk continues to grow each year, and this year, about 40,000 people will participate in the five walks in the Chicago area.
"It's all due to these people -- the volunteers," Santo said.
Besides Busse Woods, Santo also visited a few of the other walk locations in Chicago, Libertyville, Lisle and Orland Park.
Hordes of wet fans lined up and waited for Santo to autograph a T-shirt or hat. Many walkers sported specialized T-shirts recognizing a friend or family member suffering from the disease.
Santo, eager to please his fans, smiled and posed for countless photos huddled under a dry tent. Instead of saying "cheese" Santo shouted "Cubbies!" while the light bulbs flashed.
One of those fans was Elmhurst's Jodi Luchetta. She went into two neighborhood bars soliciting donations, raising about $200. Her two-year-old nephew, Anthony Stelzner, was diagnosed with diabetes about eight months ago. She carried a photo of Stelzner to help convince people to donate.
"Seeing all the volunteers out here is very touching," Luchetta said.
Donators earned a T-shirt if they raised $100 or more, and about 3,500 shirts were given out.
Smith's husband and father both had diabetes. Her Alpha Gamma Delta sorority has been volunteering since 1981, and fielded many requests for umbrellas Sunday. She appreciates the diverse crowds.
"We have infants and people in their 80s willing to walk the walk, to raise money for the cause," Smith said.