Lakewood Ranch Main Street on April 9 hosted the annual JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Walk to Cure fundraising event. About 1,500 walkers brought in more than $183,000, in total, for the cause, event chairwoman Bev Kennedy said.
Sherri Patchen and Amy Amberg walk with the Palm Aire Country Club Partners team.
Becky Romich and Nancy Kornberger, team captain, walk with more than 30 others from the Palm Aire Country Club Partners team.
Clockwise from front left are: Anabelle Rankin, Tommy McLaughlin, Amber Rankin, Colin Rankin, Tracy Rankin, Cody McLendon and Cameron Rankin, front right.
Francesca Ventura, Ingrid Santos and Emmabella Rudd, students at Riverview High School, walk for Emmabella, who has diabetes.
Bradenton's Karen Freed walks for her grandson, Jayden Hill, 10.
Erasmus Reitinger, Amber Leonard and Eddie Tanner came all the way from Plant City to walk with their friend, Emily Conrad, who has diabetes.
Yazid, Karem and Ismail Masam join their mother, Sarah.
Taylor Wilson and Norah Jones, both 11, attend Virgil Mills Elementary.
Jonathan Rose, 5, of Heritage Harbour, starts his pre-walk morning with a doughnut and a hot dog.
Mayeth and Gary Samler, of Heritage Harbour, walk for Team Yates with their children, Alex, left, and Brandon, right.
Volunteer and Lakewood Ranch resident Rick Craft wears a "cure-a-dactyl" on his head in support of the cause.
Vishan's Racers came out in full force.
North Port's Melissa Drown and her son, Xander Thomas, bring their friend Trey Chapman.
Riverview High's Carlos Garcia performs a solo before the walk begins.
Lakewood Ranch High School cheerleaders Kara Mathis and Natalie Fonseca hold a ribbon to mark the race's starting line.
Taylor Gorman, 4, is enamored when she sees Princess Elsa, from "Frozen," standing nearby.
Freshman Lakewood Ranch High School cheerleader Mackenzie Brielman (with Payton Rypel behind her) lines the starting area to cheer for walkers.
