Wild Bill stopping in Lincoln on walk for diabetes cure         

[JUNE 3, 2005]  The Centers for Disease Control reports that diabetes is becoming more common in the United States. From 1980 through 2003, the number of Americans with diabetes more than doubled, from 5.8 million to 13.8 million. The disease strikes young and old alike.

With the evolution of technology and a closer view into the microscopic world of genes and microbes, scientists draw closer in finding causes of the disease. When the causes are known, cures can be developed. The important factor in this equation is funding. More funding equals earlier cure.

A movie depicting the famous Cubbie Ron Santo and his lifelong struggle with diabetes moved one man to take action in the quest to find a cure. Bill Holden is a die-hard Cubs fan who took up his journey of walking from Camp Verde, Ariz., to Chicago in order to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation after watching the documentary "This Old Cub."

Holden will be passing through Lincoln on Monday and Tuesday, June 6 and 7. He will be staying the night with the Michael and Virginia Blair family. On Monday evening he will be available to the public at Einstein's Louisiana CoffeeHouse at 8 p.m. to talk about his journey and his mission.

Holden's stop here has been orchestrated by a local resident, Jill Blair, who says:

"I am a die-hard Cubs fan, and I've been following Bill's story since January. They talk about his progress a lot during the Cubs games, especially on the radio broadcasts. Ron Santo, Bill's inspiration for the walk, is a broadcaster for WGN radio. A few weeks ago I visited Bill's Web pages at www.thisoldcub.com and saw that he would be passing through Lincoln. I just sent an e-mail and offered to help any way that I could. I am thrilled to be involved in Bill's journey and looking forward to meeting him."

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"I am trying to get Bill as much attention as possible as he passes through our small town, so that Lincoln is a stop along his journey that he remembers!" Blair says.

If you can't make it to Einstein's, you can learn more at "Wild Bill's Walk-the-Walk" on www.thisoldcub.com.

Holden's goal is to raise $250,000 for research. You make a contribution by mailing a check or money order (made out to the JDRF) directly to:

Wild Bill's Walk
10061 Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 193
Toluca Lake, CA 91602

An invitation from Bill Holden:

On June 6 and 7, I will be passing through Lincoln! I'll be at Einstein's Louisiana CoffeeHouse on Monday, June 6, at 8 p.m. Come on out to hear about my journey and my goal of raising funds for JDRF.
Find out how to join me for a few miles, too!

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