One of the first things Gene and Peggy Miller did after their daughter Annie was diagnosed with diabetes was to participate in a local fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“She left the hospital on Thursday and the walk was Saturday,” Gene said. “We knew nothing … nobody and thought we could go and meet people. Annie could talk with other kids with diabetes and we could talk with parents.”

With little effort, the Millers were able to scrape up $1,500 in pledges. And though they showed up after the walk was over, the fundraiser sparked something in the couple.
“We had to do something to help,” he said.

The Millers are chairpersons for the sixth annual JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes set for Saturday, Sept. 29 in Traverse City. An estimated 250 walkers representing local corporations, families, schools and other organizations are expected to turn out with a goal of raising $75,000.

The Millers, their friends and family will walk as part of “Annie’s Team,” named for their 9-year-old daughter.

On site registration will take place at 8:30 a.m. at Sunset Park, next to the Holiday Inn. The 5K walk begins at 10 a.m. and proceeds along West Grand Traverse Bay. Andy Holder, the world’s only Ironman triathlon competitor with Type I Diabetes, will make a special appearance.

The previous evening he and the band Blind Dog Hank will be at a special kick-off event at the Inside Out Gallery, 211 Garland, off Grandview Parkway in Traverse City. The band will include Gene Miller on guitar and mandolin, Sandy Blumenfedt on dobro, and Jonah Powell on fiddle.

Doors open at 7 with the concert to begin at 8 p.m. A $10 donation is requested at the door.

Further information is available by calling the Millers at 256-7473.