Organisers of Sunday’s Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation One Walk were ecstatic with the response from participants.
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Over 150 walkers enjoyed the leisurely stroll from Westport Park to the end of the breakwall and return. Other walkers took the half distance option.
The event is designed to draw attention to, and raise funds for, research to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. However, the event is also designed to bring together the “diabetes family” to the one event.
For Pete Bain the walk is a continuation of his 52 years living with Type 1 Diabetes.
“When I was diagnosed I was told that my life expectancy was just 40 years of age,” he said.
“And I was diagnosed in 1965.
“Thankfully the evolution of treatment has made our lives much easier.
“I have had a lot of self-discipline and my diabetes if very well controlled. You can do well and enjoy life if you look after yourself.”
Mr Bain said he was thankful his eyesight was not affected by the disease.
When I was diagnosed I was told that my life expectancy was just 40 years of age.
- Pete Bain
One Walk organiser and JDRF advocate Emily Acheson says her daughter Charlotte Kennedy has learnt to live with Type 1 Diabetes.
“This is Port Macquarie’s third walk but I started getting involved when Charlotte was diagnosed eight years ago,” she said.
“Diabetes is quite prevalent in this area and, generally, type 1 starts when you are under 18 years of age.
“Today’s walk is to raise funds for treatment, prevention and cure for Type 1 Diabetes and to raise awareness of this disease.
“As a family it is a constant monitoring of Charlotte. She wears an insulin pump and in the last 12 months she has been wearing a CGM (continuous glucose monitoring system – which is subsidised by the federal government.
“It is a little button that sits just under her skin and detects the person’s current levels. It sends a message to an app on your phone that shows if that person is in any danger from diabetes.
“So I can be anywhere in the world and I will know if Charlotte needs any treatment.”
Walking for a cure and raising awareness of Type 1 Diabetes and the impact it can have on peoples’ lives is one of the key success stories of the One Walk, she said.
Charlotte has to put insulin into her body every time she eats or her levels rise. This is lifelong disease for her.
Emily says the day is also about sharing the knowledge of diabetes to everyone in the community.
We want to create a support network within this community through this annual walk, she said.
“We don’t know what the cause is, and we have come a long way, but there is still some work to do,” she added.
Emily also praised the Port Macquarie-Hastings community for their support of the One Walk.