Brotherly Love: A March To Fight Diabetes

NEWTON SQUARE, Pa. (CBS) -- A Newtown Square elementary school held a very special ceremony last week, a march to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

They young students marched through the neighborhood in a sea of color and sound - carrying a banner with a message - hundreds of students from St. Anastasia School, marching for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or JDRF.

"We want to give kids a chance to be part of finding a cure," said Dana Gold of JDRF.

Right in front of the march were four children from the school -- kids with juvenile diabetes themselves.

Gillian Troilo, one of the students, said "I have to check my blood sugar levels 8 times a day." Another student with diabetes, 3rd grader Brian Joslin says he has to prick his finger in order to check his blood sugar.

Even though these kids look like any other -- their disease increases their risk of blindness, heart attack and stroke -- and many other devastating complications.

What they want most is a cure.

"I just really want it to be gone," said 5th grader Jordan Busza.

Before the march, these kids raised money by selling paper "sneakers."

Gillian Troilo says, "I went around my neighborhood and asked for donations for JDRF and we hung up sneakers all around the school."

On the final day of the march, everyone participated, grades K through eight. They raised more than $12,000.

"This just means so much to me, it makes me so happy," Jordan Busza said.

The students also learned an important lesson. Brian Joslin's mother Palma said, "I think they learned one or two cents can help someone."

Reported by Dave Huddleston, CBS 3