Parker's Team for JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes

Hello,

My name is Parker Pietryszyn, I am 6.5 years old and I live in Haliburton, Ontario. One month after my 2nd birthday I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. My body decided to attack the area of my pancreas that produces insulin and from that day-on I need insulin to survive. Even though I look like a normal grade 1 student, my daily life is not an easy one. Every day I have to stop what I am doing to test my blood sugar (up to 10 times/day). Testing my blood sugar is not fun as it requires a needle to break my skin to draw blood - this hurts. Every piece of food that I eat has to be counted and I MUST take life saving insulin every time I eat a meal. This summer will mark two years that I am on an insulin pump and because of all the research that has been done, this pump is much better than the five needles a day I used to get. The site hurts and I have to have it changed every three days but I would much rather 12 site changes a month vs 150 needles in that month. 

Insulin is not a cure. But it is what keeps me alive.

 However: the most heart wrenching thing is, even with all of my diligence with diet, exercise and tight blood sugar control, I am still, over time, more likely to develop heart disease, kidney disease, blindness and a host of other issues later in life.

 On Sunday September 13th, along with friends and family, I will be walking in the

TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes in support of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Peterborough, Ontario. During the past four years we have raised approximately $15,000. We have had a few set backs last year but hope this year will be a great fundraising year! We are hoping to raise $2000. 

Together we CAN find a cure for myself and so many others with type 1 diabetes!

This year's fundraising campaign is:

So check back soon for campaign material and ideas. We have extra time this year!