Congratulations Team Jacoby for being the first team to earn Top Team Status for the 2018 JDRF One Walk in the Rocky Mountain Chapter! Recently, JDRF caught up with team captain, Lindsay, to learn a bit more about their team and what motivates them to participate in JDRF One Walk.

Q:           Will you share your diabetes journey – who is your connection? How long have you been connected to type 1 diabetes (T1D)?

A:            My son, Jacoby, was diagnosed on April 4, 2017 at 8 years old. He was very sick, almost in DKA.  The diagnosis was devastating at first. But about a month later we got a Dexcom, things got a little easier, and we really just dove all in. We signed up for JDRF One Walk and had about 30 people join our team and walk with us.

Q:           What inspired you to join JDRF One Walk?

A:            Last year was our first year. A big reason we joined JDRF One Walk was to meet other people with type 1. I can’t fix his diabetes but I can raise funds to make Jacoby’s life better. JDRF has the biggest name out there and we think it’s our best chance to find a cure.

Q:           Do you have a fundraising goal for this year? Do you have any creative ways you’ll be working to achieve your goal?

A:            We recently increased our goal from $5,000 to $10,000! Last month, we had a poker tournament and silent auction at a local bar. We had five tables and about 50 people – we could have more but we sold out. I collected items for the silent auction through my Facebook friends, the bar donated a percentage of the proceeds to our team, and we had a general collection jar at the event. All in all, we raised almost $4,000! Coming up, we have a Chipotle give back night scheduled on June 10, and we are planning an ice skating fundraiser for the end of June. My kids also hold lemonade stands throughout the summer to benefit the Walk team, and my sister is holding a “Buck-A-Bag” fundraiser at our local arc Thrift Store.

Q:           What are you most looking forward to at the Walk?

A:            We really love all the support that comes out at the Walk. Last year Jacoby had a bunch of friends and three of his teachers come out to support him. Jacoby is also looking forward to creating new team t-shirts and dying his hair blue at the Floyd’s 99 tent.

Q:           Any other things you’d love to share with others living with T1D?

A:            Our biggest thing is to have a positive attitude and relay to Jacoby that he can still do amazing things. Jacoby doesn’t let anything hold him back and is an active hockey and lacrosse player. We try to find the positives in his diagnosis and embrace them. Jacoby has become more responsible, healthier, and has a new outlook on life since his diagnosis. Lastly, I recommend finding other members of the type 1 community.

 

Join Team Jacoby as a Top Team at your local JDRF One Walk.

 

Top Teams* receive:

• One 10×10 tent with 1 table and 4 chairs in Top Team Tent Village
• Personalized sign hung on your Top Team Tent
• Signage along the route recognizing you as a Top Team
• Personal sign with your loved one’s name, diagnosis year, and picture along the Mile of Hope
• Invitation to the Walk Award Ceremony (post-walk), where you will be recognized

 

*For the Denver JDRF One Walk (large market) – raise $5,000 by September 7^th. For the Colorado Springs JDRF One Walk (small market) – raise $2,500 by October 5^th.

 

Follow Team Jacoby’s progress at http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/teamjacoby  and register your own team at www.walk.jdrf.org