Meet Lily Walker-Waring, February’s Every Day Hero

In the words of Anna Pishko, Development Coordinator:

Lily is incredible. She is a strong young lady whose life has been drastically changed by T1D. Because of this, she has become a fierce advocate for advocacy, research and most importantly inclusion within the T1D community. She and her family have volunteered with the chapter for years, and have become a pillar of the Gala volunteer team- we could not put on our events without them.

What is your T1D story?

In the year 2010, type one diabetes changed my life in the course of three months. October 4, 2010, my father passed away in his sleep due to a low blood sugar. I turned nine years old one month before he passed so I wasn’t educated on what T1D meant, I just knew it took my best friend. November 11, 2010 was the day I almost lost my life to T1D. I was sick the week leading up to my diagnosis but my doctor at the time assumed I was still grieving over the loss of my father. Being diagnosed with T1D right after losing my father from it was terrifying. I began to think at nine years old, my life was over before it even started. I was able to adjust and learn very quickly what type one diabetes was and what I needed to do; I was comfortable with it at that time. December 14, 2010, I received the news that my oldest sister had passed away in her sleep due to a high blood sugar. That terrifying feeling, I had the day I was diagnosed, immediately filled up my body again. At that moment, I knew what type one diabetes truly was and capable of. I knew I had to fight.

How did I get connected with JDRF?

I was a patient at the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters so when I was diagnosed, the diabetes education center referred us to the local JDRF chapter.

What made me stay involved with JDRF?

Joining JDRF helped me surround myself with other type one diabetics, other people that experience the same challenges that I do. I was able to be an ambassador and guide others that struggle with T1D, I took what I learned from JDRF and used it in many different parts of my life. I choose to stay involved with JDRF because everyone apart of this massive organization has the same goal, a cure.

How has JDRF impacted my life?

Most of my knowledge on type one diabetes came from JDRF. As stated before, the same weekend I was diagnosed with T1D I was introduced to JDRF. All I’ve known is JDRF, I couldn’t imagine where I’d be without it.

What would I tell someone who wants to help but doesn’t have a direct connection to T1D?

We need all the help and awareness we can get! There are many ways you can help without having or having a connection to T1D. JDRF host many fundraising events that needs volunteers, we need more advocates to speak on what T1D is, anything and anyone could help us reach our goal.

How is volunteering at JDRF?

This year will make 10 years my family and I have been volunteering at JDRF. Over the years we have seen JDRF making improvements after improvements. Volunteering at JDRF has been great, it has not only helped me, but it allowed me to help others want to get involved.

What does a cure mean to me?

Finding a cure to me means freedom. A cure would mean I no longer have to live in fear, my mother would be able to sleep at night and there would be no more lives cut short due to T1D. My biggest fear is losing my battle to T1D and my family having to go through that unbearable pain, so a cure would be a major blessing for all.