Thousands of people laced up their shoes for a juvenile diabetes cure walk at Belmont Lake State Park Sunday.

Friends and family members of 9-year-old Steven Mangieri raised almost $21,000 by participating in the event. The boy believes it's for a good cause."It would mean that I wouldn't have to get my insulin shots every day," he said.

Supporters also showed up for another boy with the disease, 4-year-old Nicholas Pennachio. Before he started using an insulin pump, he used to endure six shots daily.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation advises parents of diabetic children to closely monitor their children's food intake until their researchers find a cure.

"Our research scientists are all over the world with 500 research projects trying to find a cure for diabetes," said the foundation's Barbara Rogus.

Organizers hoped to raise $1 million at Sunday's event for the foundation and another million at a Nassau County event in two weeks.

Related information:Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International