Barrington DASHes for a Good Cause

The 12th annual DASH to Cure Diabetes will take place this Sunday, May 27, at in Barrington. With anywhere from 400 to 600 participants annually, the DASH has grown to raise over $550,000 and awareness throughout the community.

Started in 2000 by community members Karl and Nancy Fruecht, the DASH raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a foundation that has worked for more than 40 years to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

After the diagnosis of their daughter with diabetes 13 years ago, Mr. Fruecht said the family was thrown for a loop.

“We felt like we were on the planet on the other side of Pluto,” said Fruecht.

Through events such as the DASH, as well as a Second City event at every February, the Fruechts created a community network for diabetes awareness.

“Our name is now pretty well associated with the disease,” said Fruecht. “We hope for Barrington families that now means there is always someone to talk to.”

With high attendence at all of their events year-round, the Barrington community has embraced all efforts to raise awareness and funds for diabetes research.

“[Barrington] is a national example for managing this disease,” said Mr. Fruecht. “We are really blessed to be in such a great school district, and an area where kids affected by this disease aren’t disadvantaged in any way.”

As a part of the DASH, there will be three different events that cater to all ages; a four-mile trail run through Citizens Park and Cuba Marsh, a 5K walk on the street as well as the Junior DASH events (for 12 and under), including a 100-yard dash, a quarter mile, a half mile and a mile run.

The DASH has also seen their fair share of special guests, including professional athletes and politicians, who come out to support the cause with their families.

DASH participants can sign up until noon on Friday, May 25, online at godash.org, or at in Barrington on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dashers can also sign up the day of the event at Citizens Park.