August 2008 - Skeleton World Champion Noelle Pikus Pace Raises Money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Utah

Noelle Pikus Pace, a US Skeleton World Champion, has seen her share of adversity in her athletic career. In 2001 Noelle suffered a compound fracture of her lower right leg as a result of a freak accident when she was struck by a bobsled, causing her to miss the first half of the 2005-06 season. Showing her true competitiveness and determination, she recovered and had the best season of her skeleton career in 2006-07, claiming the World Championship title in St. Moritz and finishing second overall in World Cup standings, just behind teammate Katie Uhlaender. After taking some time off to give birth to her first child, a baby girl, in January, Noelle is back to training hard for the upcoming season.

Noelle's determination is mirrored in that of her 16 year old nephew, who has been battling Diabetes for most of his life. Inspiried by his strength, Noelle has turned her attention to this cause that is near and dear to her heart. In the past, Noelle has walked in various Utah Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walks. This year, she wanted to get even more involved, so Noelle started her own online fundraising team in addition to attending the September 20th Walk.

Click here to visit Team Pikus Pace and donate to the cause!

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

The Utah Chapter of JDRF was founded in 1996 by six volunteers who wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids with diabetes. They held the first Utah Chapter Walk to Cure Diabetes and raised an amazing $75,000. The chapter now hosts four Walks to Cure Diabetes each year with 2008 goal to raise over one million dollars!