Only 4 days until Bucks County Walk Day!

Welcome to the JDRF One Walk Bucks County Countdown! This week we are spotlighting our Bucks Walk volunteers and all that they make possible. Today, we celebrate the driving force of our One Walk program—our Family Walk teams. When your friends and family come together at your local JDRF One Walk, you create change and positively impact lives of those living with T1D.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Being a part of JDRF has helped us build a network of community and friends. We have become very close with other families that are also involved in JDRF, and it means everything to us. We rely on each other for love and support.

Read below to find out what the One Walk program means to two of the top 2018 Bucks County family teams:

Dominic DeSimone and “Dominic’s Dynasty”, shared by his mother Mindy

Tell us about your loved one with T1D.

March 23, 2013, is a date that we will never forget. It’s the day our lives changed forever and my son Dominic’s childhood was no longer carefree.

Dominic was just a toddler when we saw the doctor for symptoms such as extreme thirst and frequent urination. When we were told that Dominic had T1D and that CHOP’s emergency room was waiting for us, we didn’t even know what this disease was. We were shocked and scared, and we had no idea what this meant for him.

Dominic is now a third grader with two younger brothers. He loves to hang out with his friends and family, as well as play football, basketball and Fortnite.

 

Why did you decide to get involved with JDRF and the Bucks County Walk?

At our three-month post-diagnosis appointment at CHOP, the nurse practitioner could see that I was still pretty devastated about Dominic’s diagnosis. She helped me to get in touch with Laura Zakrzewski, who is a mom in the area with a child, Christian, who also lives with diabetes. It made such a huge difference having someone to talk to who knew what we were going through.

This is how I got involved with JDRF. Laura was the one to inform me about JDRF and the upcoming walk, and she helped me get started creating a team. She shared her team’s videos with me, which inspired many of our YouTube videos. She shared with me what to expect at the walk, where to register, and how to get team shirts. Laura was a huge support. I knew getting involved with JDRF was exactly what I needed to do to try to make a difference in Dom’s life. I have to fight for this to make his life better.

How has JDRF’s support made a difference for Dominic and your family?

When Dom was diagnosed, receiving JDRF’s Bag of Hope meant the world to us. Now, hearing about the research updates brings me hope. I know JDRF-funded researchers are working to make the lives of T1D’s better. Joining the JDRF T1D community also reminds us that we are not alone. We have met many families who are just like ours and know what we go through on a daily basis.

What would you tell someone with T1D or a newly diagnosed family about the Walk program?

Walk Day is such an inspiring day. All the people that come out to show their support and love is just incredible. And it’s also a day where Dom can see he is not alone.

Alexa Karamis and “Sweet Life”, shared by her mother Heidi

Tell us about your loved one with T1D.

During our family vacation at Disney in May 2016, I noticed my daughter Alexa’s excessive thirst and frequent urination. I knew these were possible warning signs of T1D, but I tried to put that thought out of my head, as we were walking 20+ miles a day and it was very hot. I thought maybe I was being paranoid even though mother’s intuition told me different.

Upon our return on a Saturday, these symptoms did not stop. I happened to have an older blood-glucose monitor and tested Alexa on Sunday. It read “HI”. I did not know what that meant at first. I thought it was old and expired and an error message. My husband and I tested and we received normal readings. I tested Alexa again and received the “HI” message.

Immediately I knew. I called the doctor’s emergency line as I started packing for both Alexa and myself to go to CHOP, as I knew in that moment our lives had changed forever.

Alexa has been so brave and strong since her “new normal”. She lives the life of a normal, healthy child and likes to educate her friends and classmates about T1D. Alexa attends Camp Freedom and loves spending the week with children just like her.

Why did you decide to get involved with JDRF and the Bucks County Walk?

We became involved with JDRF within months of Alexa’s diagnosis. It was important for us to be involved in the T1D community for support as well as working together for what is most important to us—finding a cure for our daughter and all the other children and adults living with T1D. “Sweet Life” started to give us an opportunity to raise awareness about T1D and the misconceptions and lack of education about what causes T1D. Sugar consumption does not cause T1D and, in fact, is one of the most important “medicines” when Alexa has low blood sugar. But even though she lives with this disease every second of every day, she still lives a normal and happy life.

How do you fundraise for the Bucks County Walk?

We spend our time educating and driving awareness with friends, family, coworkers and the community to donate to JDRF, as well as walk with us to see how our T1D community works together. We tell everyone about Alexa’s journey and ask them to share with their network about her. Our friends donate. Friends of friends donate. The community donates. We never stop sharing what Alexa’s life is like, as well as the impact to our family.

How has JDRF’s support made a difference for Alexa and your family?

Being a part of JDRF has helped us build a network of community and friends. We have become very close with other families that are also involved in JDRF, and it means everything to us. We rely on each other for love and support.

What would you tell someone with T1D or a newly diagnosed family about JDRF and the Walk program?

No matter how much love and support you get from your family and friends, no one truly understands what you are going through unless they or a loved one have T1D. It is important to surround yourself with others who truly get it. You won’t feel as alone or scared with the support and love of the JDRF community.

One Walk is just one of many ways that help us stay connected. It is a chance for us all to join together to raise money for what is most important—working to find a cure for T1D. We have to work until type one is type none.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Registration for One Walk Bucks County is open and there’s plenty of time to assemble your team, as fundraising continues well beyond Walk Day. Celebrate all the hard work—or kick off the start of your fundraising!—with a day of fun at the Warminster Community Park on Sunday, September 30.

Interested in getting involved with JDRF One Walk? As a JDRF volunteer, you’ll join a community of people who care passionately about JDRF’s vision and are willing to do the work to help us make it a reality. We invite you to sign up to volunteer from the web or contact philadelphia@jdrf.org for more information. Your talents can make a huge difference.