As a member of the JDRF staff I meet many, many, families faced with the challenges of living with type one diabetes (T1D). Each is different and has a unique story to tell. Sometimes, they blend into the collective narrative of the “diabetes family”, while others stay with me as I’m going to bed, starting the day with my morning coffee, or talking with staff and volunteers around the office.

Enter team SUGAR-LESS BETTER EJ. I can’t even write their team name without breaking into a smile. J This team won our JDRF One Walk Early Bird Registration Contest and are one of the unique ones that I haven’t been able to get off my mind.

Ernesto, age 7 ½, was diagnosed with T1D at 4 ½ years old. Like many, he did not have a family history of T1D so the diagnosis was a complete shock. His journey has had its ups and downs, but Ernesto and his family have an incredible optimism around life. His mom, Mara, shared, “We always tell him this shouldn’t stop you. You can run, jump, play. This is something that you just have, but we are here to support you.”

While Ernesto has been living with T1D for a number of years, this will be his first year participating in JDRF One Walk. “We get the JDRF newsletter and saw the Walk,” says Mara. “We are happy to participate, and Ernesto knows this is for him.” Like many families, they want Ernesto to know he’s not alone, and JDRF One Walk is a great way to get connected. They have a fundraising goal of $1,500 and will be recruiting family and friends to and come out for the day and help them reach their goal. When asked what they are most looking forward to about the Walk Mara said, “Making Ernesto, and anyone else, know they are very special. They have to watch everything they eat and having them as the spotlight will be great.”

I can’t wait to spotlight Ernesto, and the hundreds of others living with T1D, on Walk day. Mara shared that they are so grateful to have the devices they have, but we all know it is not enough. Together, at the Walk, we will celebrate our efforts to provide funding to the most cutting edge research that will improve the lives of everyone affected by T1D, and autoimmunity in general. We won’t stop until we have a cure.

You can support SUGAR-LESS BETTER EJ at http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/sugarlessbetterEj or learn more about forming your own team at www.walk.jdrf.org.

Rachel LeClere
JDRF Rocky Mountain Chapter | Sr. Development Manager