Normally, KMOV reporter Russell Kinsaul is the one holding the microphone. But this spring, he’ll be on the other side of it as JDRF calls him to the stage to recognize his dedication to the nonprofit. Kinsaul has been named the foundation’s 2017 Gala Honoree and will be celebrated May 6 at the 18th annual gala at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch.
The Channel 4 newsman, a native Oklahoman, has volunteered as the event’s emcee for several years and is an enthusiastic promoter of its work funding Type 1 diabetes (T1D) programs and research. T1D is an autoimmune condition that prevents the pancreas from producing the insulin the body needs to turn food into energy. It affects children and adults, and requires lifelong carbohydrate monitoring, blood glucose testing and dependence on insulin injections.
Kinsaul says he is excited and humbled to be on the receiving end of an award he has enjoyed presenting to others over the years. “I’m truly honored, but I always think other people are much more deserving,” he says. “JDRF is such a wonderful organization, and it’s working hard to find a cure. I think the real superheroes are those who live life to the fullest despite a disease with potentially life-threatening implications. That applies to the families and friends who support them, too.”
The admiration is mutual. “Russell’s ‘superpower’ is to modestly but consistently serve in any way he can, asking for no fanfare in return,” says Chris Martinez, executive director of JDRF’s local chapter. “This is heroic in every way that matters. People like Russell are the exact reason progress is made in our cause each and every day.”
Kinsaul adds that he doesn’t have any immediate family members with T1D, but that doesn’t lessen his commitment. “I love working with the staff and meeting the people they help,” he says. “When JDRF first asked me to emcee the gala, I fell in love with the organization right away. They’ve made a lot of progress in recent years, both in research funding and in services for families dealing with diabetes. I have a coworker with T1D, and I’ve seen how much it impacts his life and health.”
He says he is more than happy to use his visibility in the community to raise awareness about JDRF’s important work. “It helps that everybody knows everybody in St. Louis,” he notes. “There are no six degrees of separation here; it’s more like two degrees. It’s all about the connections you can make to spread the word.”
The gala, co-chaired this year by members of the Budke family, is JDRF’s premier fundraising event in St. Louis. The evening includes cocktails, dinner, silent and live auctions, and live entertainment for about 500 guests. It’s sure to be a night to remember.
Pictured: Members of the Budke family (2017 gala co-chairs) with Emily Rapp, second from right
Photo: Dave Meyers Images Today and Beyond
Since its inception in 2000, the JDRF Gala has raised more than $10 million for diabetes research. For information on gala tickets, sponsorships or donations, visit jdrf.org/stl/events or call the JDRF Greater Missouri and Southern Illinois Chapter at 314.729.1846.
Cover design by Julie Streiler | Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
