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Meet Ben, our 2009 Ambassador
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What is Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes? The Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes event is a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) with the mission of finding a cure for diabetes. The event consists of an 8k Run, 4-Mile Family Walk, One-Mile Fun Run and Diaper Derby for toddlers. The 8K Run has two challenges: to beat the University Bridge before it is raised, and to cross the finish line in Husky Stadium. The bridge is at the 2.0-Mile mark of the race. Since the first Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes race in 1983, Nordstrom has partnered with JDRF to find a cure for diabetes and its related complications through the support of research and research related education. Beat the Bridge draws people together in healthy activities for a worthy cause, raising money to help find a cure for diabetes. It's fun for families and builds camaraderie among company employees. Above all, it's an event you will feel good about being a part. The Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes is part of the The Walk to Cure Diabetes, a national walkathon held in more than 200 locations in 13 countries throughout the year to benefit JDRF. More than 750,000 men, women, and children will participate nationally this year. The Walk to Cure Diabetes raised over $93 million last year for diabetes research. The History of Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes Over twenty-four years ago when Nordstrom started Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes, just over 1,000 runners gathered at the University of Washington Husky Stadium to race against the raising of the University Bridge. Volunteers from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Nordstrom coordinated the event. In its first year the event was regarded as a success with runners, however, very few pledge dollars were raised for JDRF. Nordstrom, committed to supporting diabetes research, generously donated $10,000 to JDRF Northwest after the event. We thank Ray Johnson and Nordstrom for starting this annual event. Over the years, Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes has experienced considerable growth in attendance. Our challenge now is to increase the dollars raised for diabetes research. In 1991, JDRF turned to the Beat the Bridge sponsors and companies in the Puget Sound area for support. Companies were encouraged to involve their employees in the event by organizing a team whose members raised pledges for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The Corporate Team Program was widely accepted, raising the total event income from $30,000 in 1991 to over $1.3 million in 2008. The 2009 goal for this event is to BEAT $1.475 million for diabetes research. Today, Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes has grown beyond the 8K Race and includes a 4 Mile Walk, a 1 Mile Family Fun Run, and a Diaper Derby for toddlers. The event involves over 4,000 volunteer hours from Nordstrom and JDRF. All four events combined attract 10,000 participants and spectators. Event sponsors and corporate teams accounted for over 60% of the total revenue while many families formed teams and participated in the events as well. Thanks to the ongoing support and underwriting of Nordstrom and the help of their employees, the addition of many new sponsors and corporate teams, as well as family teams, Beat the Bridge has become the fourth largest 8K Race in the country. With the continued support of local companies, community leaders, families, and individual runners and walkers we will continue to increase the dollars we are raising for diabetes research.
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