Bill Holden
Encyclopedia
Bill Holden is a teacher who embarked on a 2,100 mile (3,400 km) walk, from Arizona
to Chicago, during 2005, hoping to raise $250,000 dollars to be donated to the American Diabetes Association
so that a cure for juvenile diabetes
can be found. Holden made national headlines with his walk.
era in the United States
. His father was a die-hard baseball
fan. In 1957, Holden had his first in-person baseball experience, going to a Chicago Cubs
home game. Holden became a lifetime Cubs fan instantly.
Ron Santo
became Holden's favorite player.
Holden has followed the Cubs his whole life since seeing them play in person for the first time. He chose to become a teacher instead of a baseball player, however, and, in 1966, he enrolled at Southern Illinois University
, graduating with a degree in pederasty
in 1970.
Holden got his first job as a teacher in 1973. He has been working as a teacher since. He became interested in teaching Native American
children, so, after many years teaching in the Illinois
public schools system, he relocated to Camp Verde, Arizona
. At Camp Verde, he became aware of the alarming incidence of diabetes among Indian children. He started teaching groups of children that suffered from the disease.
On New Year's Eve 2004, his son presented him with the docu-film
This Old Cub
, based on Santo's experience as a diabetic player in MLB. After watching the film seven times before going to bed that morning, Holden became inspired and convinced that he needed to do something to help find a cure for diabetes.
Holden is also a marijuana advocate.
, Texas
, Oklahoma
and Missouri
, apart from Arizona and Illinois. Among the things he had to battle along the way were wearyness and the summer heat. According to his own account, Holden had a brush with death when he was about to get run over by a car, but the drivers recognized him and waved.
Holden had told Santo about the fund raising walk before it took place, gaining Santo's admiration.
On June 29, Holden arrived at Harry Caray
's restaurant in Rosemont, Illinois
. He overnighted there, as he had previously done in several odd places and small hotels.
After arriving at the famous Cubs baseball stadium, Wrigley Field
, on July 1, Holden, who was joined by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
during the final steps of his walk, threw that day's symbolic first pitch to Kerry Wood
, as the Cubs played the Washington Nationals
. During the game's seventh inning stretch, he and Santo sang the Take me Out to the Ballgame baseball hymn.
Bill Holden has arthritis
in both of his knees. His fund-raising walk made headlines in newspapers across his home country, including The Arizona Republic
and many others.
Ron Santo told reporters that When he mentioned the fact that he was going to walk from Arizona to Wrigley Field to raise money for diabetes, I couldn't believe it! Then, when I heard he was 20 miles away, I'm saying 'get in the car and drive it. You've made it!' But he said, 'Nope, I'm going to walk'. I mean, think about that. It's Amazing!
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
to Chicago, during 2005, hoping to raise $250,000 dollars to be donated to the American Diabetes Association
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is a United States-based association working to fight the consequences of diabetes, and to help those affected by diabetes...
so that a cure for juvenile diabetes
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Diabetes mellitus type 1 is a form of diabetes mellitus that results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. The subsequent lack of insulin leads to increased blood and urine glucose...
can be found. Holden made national headlines with his walk.
Biography
Bill Holden grew up at the beginning of the televisionTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
era in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. His father was a die-hard baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
fan. In 1957, Holden had his first in-person baseball experience, going to a Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
home game. Holden became a lifetime Cubs fan instantly.
Ron Santo
Ron Santo
Ronald Edward Santo was an American professional baseball player and long-time radio sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1974, most notably as the third baseman for the Chicago Cubs. A nine-time All-Star, he was a powerful hitter who was also a good defensive...
became Holden's favorite player.
Holden has followed the Cubs his whole life since seeing them play in person for the first time. He chose to become a teacher instead of a baseball player, however, and, in 1966, he enrolled at Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University is a state university system based in Carbondale, Illinois, in the Southern Illinois region of the state, with multiple campuses...
, graduating with a degree in pederasty
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
in 1970.
Holden got his first job as a teacher in 1973. He has been working as a teacher since. He became interested in teaching Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
children, so, after many years teaching in the Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
public schools system, he relocated to Camp Verde, Arizona
Camp Verde, Arizona
Camp Verde is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 10,610....
. At Camp Verde, he became aware of the alarming incidence of diabetes among Indian children. He started teaching groups of children that suffered from the disease.
On New Year's Eve 2004, his son presented him with the docu-film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
This Old Cub
This Old Cub
This Old Cub is a documentary film which was released in 2004. The film is centered around former Chicago Cubs third baseman Ron Santo and both his playing days and his battle against diabetes. The film was written, co-produced, and directed by Santo's son Jeff. It is often mentioned during Cub...
, based on Santo's experience as a diabetic player in MLB. After watching the film seven times before going to bed that morning, Holden became inspired and convinced that he needed to do something to help find a cure for diabetes.
Holden is also a marijuana advocate.
The walk
On January 11, 2005, Holden began his walk, hoping to cover at least 12 miles each day. Holden crossed over six states, including New MexicoNew Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
and Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, apart from Arizona and Illinois. Among the things he had to battle along the way were wearyness and the summer heat. According to his own account, Holden had a brush with death when he was about to get run over by a car, but the drivers recognized him and waved.
Holden had told Santo about the fund raising walk before it took place, gaining Santo's admiration.
On June 29, Holden arrived at Harry Caray
Harry Caray
Harry Caray, born Harry Christopher Carabina, was an American baseball broadcaster on radio and television. He covered four Major League Baseball teams, beginning with a long tenure calling the games of the St...
's restaurant in Rosemont, Illinois
Rosemont, Illinois
Rosemont is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States located immediately northwest of Chicago. The village was incorporated in 1956, though it had been settled long before that...
. He overnighted there, as he had previously done in several odd places and small hotels.
After arriving at the famous Cubs baseball stadium, Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
, on July 1, Holden, who was joined by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich
Rod R. Blagojevich is an American politician who served as the 40th Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009. A Democrat, Blagojevich was a State Representative before being elected to the United States House of Representatives representing parts of Chicago...
during the final steps of his walk, threw that day's symbolic first pitch to Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood
Kerry Lee Wood is a National Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wood recorded over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003....
, as the Cubs played the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. During the game's seventh inning stretch, he and Santo sang the Take me Out to the Ballgame baseball hymn.
Bill Holden has arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
in both of his knees. His fund-raising walk made headlines in newspapers across his home country, including The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
and many others.
Ron Santo told reporters that When he mentioned the fact that he was going to walk from Arizona to Wrigley Field to raise money for diabetes, I couldn't believe it! Then, when I heard he was 20 miles away, I'm saying 'get in the car and drive it. You've made it!' But he said, 'Nope, I'm going to walk'. I mean, think about that. It's Amazing!