A student at Queen Elizabeth School, Donald Alexander, has been named as Weyburn’s youth ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation walk to be held on Sunday, Nov. 6, from the City Centre Mall.
The school itself will hold a fundraising walk on Monday, Oct. 3, in support of Donald, with all proceeds to go to the JDRF walk in November.
Donald was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two years ago when he was eight years old.
“The hardest thing about living with Type 1 diabetes is that you can’t take a vacation from testing blood sugar, counting carbs, and giving yourself insulin,” said Donald, adding the hope that there will be a cure for this diabetes in his lifetime.
Type 1 diabetes can strike both children and adults suddenly, causing a dependence on insulin for life, with the constant threat of devastating complications.
There are about three million Canadians of all ages who have diabetes, and 300,000 have Type 1 diabetes.
Living with Type 1 diabetes requires 1,460 needles a year, and 2,190 finger pokes each year to test blood sugar levels.
The Weyburn JDRF Walk will start with registration at 12:30 p.m. and the walk will begin at 1:30 p.m.
There will be water and snacks provided along the route with a lunch afterwards at the City Centre Mall, along with entertainment.
To register for the Weyburn walk, go online to jdrf.ca/walk, or for pledge forms, contact Marlin Robins at 306-861-0832, or email to marlin.robins@cenovus.com.
