Rock Type One event harnesses music in quest for diabetes cure

Each year, the Florida chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) schedules its most significant fundraising event, the JDRF One Walk. The foundation's annual goal is to raise awareness about Type 1 Diabetes, raise funds for research, and engage with local communities.

Type 1 Diabetes is often confused with Type 2 Diabetes, which dominates mainstream media with management drugs and PSAs.

However, Type 1 Diabetes is entirely different. T1D is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. T1D is indiscriminate and occurs in children and adults. Its causes are not fully known, and there is currently no cure. People with T1D are dependent on injected or pumped insulin to survive.

The JDRF One Walk allows families with Type 1 Diabetes to form teams with family, friends, and colleagues and walk to raise money for JDRF. Walks happen in major cities throughout the state, such as Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa.

Tallahassee once had an annual JDRF One Walk with all the fanfare of the larger Florida communities. However, in 2020, much like the rest of the world, these walks hit a snag with the COVID-19 pandemic. After a few years, the JDRF One Walks returned to the large markets but struggled to return to smaller communities such as Tallahassee.

Even though there are no walks in the capital area schedule, one local JDRF team is carrying the torch in raising funds and uniquely creating awareness. JDRF Team Unicorn Wranglers, named after the local band the Unicorn Wranglers, was formed to support its guitarist's fight against T1D. In the absence of a walk, they put on a rock concert.

Rock Type One to None has occurred at various venues throughout Tallahassee for several years. This year, it will happen at Dreamland Bar-B-Q in the old Tallahassee Mall (aka Centre Of Tallahassee and/or Music Alley) from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, May 18.

"We are excited to host this year's Rock Type One to None event at Dreamland Bar-B-Q," said Bryan Collier, Dreamland BBQ manager. "We have a spacious covered outdoor seating area adjacent to the restaurant where we often have local bands come and play." Dreamland is home to the Thursday night Blues Jam, a local must-see for music lovers.

This year's musical guests will include longtime Tallahassee guitarist and vocalist Chris Manuel and his band Midnight Caravan. Also on the bill is a relatively new group of young rockers called Fallen Timber, whose journey as a band started while attending Chiles High School. Finally, to close the show, there will be none other than the Unicorn Wranglers, who have organized this event for several years.

"It's always great to fight against diabetes in my own way. Hopefully, what we do here can help those on a similar journey as myself," said Ian Waldron, guitarist for the Unicorn Wranglers. "And we are pretty excited about playing at Dreamland Bar-B-Q and reconnecting with our friends."

As mentioned, any JDRF event has its principal mission. First, it is to create awareness that Type 1 Diabetes is a nationwide disease affecting over 1.8 million people. Here in Tallahassee, many people, children and adults, are living normalized lives because of the progressive advancements in managing T1D.

As a substitute teacher in Leon County, I’ve seen numerous students attending school who were either diagnosed at a very early age or found out while attending school. I also have seen students with T1D back in elementary schools who have graduated and are going to college.

The downside, however, is that there is still no cure. A constant reminder to me is a 6th grader who point-blank asked me, "Mr. Waldron, when are they going to find a way to stop this stuff. I'm really tired of it."

Whether you walk or listen to bands, we need the community's help and support to find a cure for T1D. We want to see people at Dreamland BBQ on May 18 for the show. There is no direct admission fee, but we will take any donations. If you can't attend the show, you can always donate online at TheUnicornWranglers.com and help us to Rock Type 1 to None.

John Waldron is the Outreach Volunteer, JDRF- North Florida Chapter. Contact him bigdogwaldron@gmail.com.

If you go

What: Rock Type One to None

When: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, May 18

Where: Dreamland Bar-B-Q at Centre Of Tallahassee in Music Alley

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Rock Type One event harnesses music in work to fight diabetes