WHY I WALK
-Merissa Davis (Team Otto Immune)

Team Otto Immune walks every year because this is our chance to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and to help fund crucial T1D research. Participating in the Walk is our small way of doing what we can plus it gives us a reason to rally friends and family to join us in this important cause. We have personally benefited from JDRF’s mission to improve the lives of those living with T1D and rely daily on the medications, technology, and advancements that JDRF has funded to keep Otto alive and well. Everyone suffering from this disease deserves to have the best care and tools available and to have this heavy burden lightened in whatever way possible and the research JDRF funds is a huge part of doing that. It’s our privilege to contribute to that effort.

Our family’s fundraising effort comes in the form of pies. We started Piebetes three years ago and hold monthly pie sales to raise money. We offer different, seasonal flavors every month which range from sweet fruit pies to savory pot pies and decadent cream pies to delectable quiches. We post each pie sale on Instagram and Facebook where customers pre-order their favorite flavors and then pick them up a few days later at our home. While mom does most of the baking, the whole family loves to test out new recipes and Otto himself is the master at boxing up the pies and getting them ready for customers to pick up. We’re so grateful for the many people who purchase our pies and who often donate more to help our cause. It may seem small or insignificant, but every pie we bake and sell comes with our love and the hope that it will make Otto’s life healthier, longer, and maybe one day, diabetes free.

All of this effort culminates in the Walk Day celebration where we get to surround ourselves with so many other families who are affected by this disease and are doing their own fundraising. It’s a collective effort and it’s touching and empowering to see thousands of people gather together in support of our son and the many other type 1 diabetics in our own community. It helps us feel like we are not alone and that others understand what our son is going through and what we are doing to care for him. We have missed connecting personally with our JDRF community during COVID and are so excited to see everyone this coming May!

The Davis Family (Jason, Merissa, Vivian and Otto).
Merissa currently serves as the Utah Community Board President
Join Team Otto by registering for the Utah JDRF One Walk!