Why We Walk

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Why do we walk?

We walk because type 1 diabetes, also known as T1D, is an autoimmune disease that is diagnosed in both children and adults. T1D occurs when the body’s own immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas. These beta cells produce insulin, which is an essential hormone the body needs to obtain energy from food. The onset of T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle; it comes on suddenly and carries a lifelong dependence on injected or pumped insulin. T1D carries the constant threat of devastating complications and there is no cure. This is why we walk.

Why do we walk?

We walk because each day 40 children are diagnosed with T1D in the United States alone. Some of our children diagnosed as infants. It is estimated that nearly three million Americans may have T1D. 15,000 adults and 15,000 children are diagnosed each year. 15,000 children being told each year that they will have to rely on insulin injections, food carbohydrate counting, and multiple finger picks to test their blood sugar each day. This is why we walk.

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Why do we walk?

We walk because T1D affects the entire family. Meals become mathematical calculations; family activities are now looked at in an analytical way due to the effect of too much exercise and excitement on blood sugar levels. Parents are up multiple times during the night to check their children’s blood sugar levels. Eating out at a restaurant becomes more difficult and less of a relaxing night out. Our children now have to be pulled out of dance classes, soccer games, and other activities just to check their blood sugar so it does not go dangerously low. This is why we walk.

Why do we walk?

We walk because we know that JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) is working hard every day to make the lives of our children and loved ones easier. JDRF is the leading global organization funding T1D research. JDRF raises funds that power the global movement to cure, treat and prevent T1D. In 2012 alone, JDRF provided more then $110 million to T1D research. More than 80% of all charitable donations and contributions went to funding research and research related education. Each day new advances and improvements for the lives of people living with T1D is occurring. This is why we walk.

Why do we walk?

We walk because we have a common goal: Hope. We the parents, siblings, families, friends, and individuals who are living with or have a loved one living with T1D hope for a cure! We hope for medical advancements that will allow our children to live a life where T1D is easier to manage. We hope that none of our children or loved ones ever face the devastating complications and effects that T1D can have on the body. We hope that our children and loved ones can someday say I USED to have T1D and I don’t have it anymore. This is why we walk.

Please visit walk.JDRF.org to find a Walk to Cure Diabetes near you!

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Jenn Foster
After spending a lot of time and money on an undergrad and masters degree, I realized that the only thing I wanted to be when I grew up was a momma. Three beautiful girls later; Emma (7), Sophie (4), and Madelyn (2), my husband Geoff and I have been married for 13 years and are happy to have planted our family in Fairfax, Vermont. My journey as a mother had been fairly typical until my oldest daughter was diagnosed with type 1 juvenile diabetes in August of 2011 when she was 3 years old. I recently took on a part time position with JDRF, an organization that funds type 1 diabetes research and also provides advocacy. Being a "work from home" mom with three kids under foot is going to be a whole new journey!

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