A brave young girl from Chatham-Kent wants to make a difference in this world and is walking next month to raise money to cure Juvenile Diabetes.
The purpose of the walk is to collect donations for Type 1 Diabetes research.
Kylee Eltervoog, 10, of Blenheim, has been named Ambassador for this year's walk and said she knows firsthand what it's like to live with Juvenile Diabetes because she was diagnosed just over a year ago.
"I have to treat my highs and lows. I also have to check carbs and check my blood sugar and make sure that I'm getting the right amount of insulin," said Kylee. "Living with diabetes is a lot of work. I can still do everything I want, it just takes a little more preparation."
Kylee continues playing baseball and hockey and playing with her friends and wants to thank people for participating in the walk. She said that she is excited to be the walk's Ambassador because she will be able to meet new people and thinks this walk is for a great cause.
Bridget Blonde is part of the walk and said more than 300,000 Canadians live with Type 1 Diabetes and there is currently no cure for this lifelong condition.
"The majority of them are diagnosed as children and that's one of the things that the community involved in the walk is part of, linking families together so they can work together and support each other," said Blonde.
The annual Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF will take place at Kingston Park in Chatham on June 12, 2022. The event begins at 11 a.m. and includes a Kid’s Zone and refreshments.
Income tax receipts are available for any donations. Sponsorships are available for local businesses or individuals.
Since 1970 over $3 billion has been invested into Type 1 Diabetes research worldwide.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will be the benefactors of the proceeds. It raises money for research, advocates for increased affordability and accessibility of diabetes treatment technology, and provides support for newly diagnosed Canadians and their families.
More information can be found here.