10 hours ago
Fundraising walk raises awareness for Type 1 Diabetes
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – Breakthrough T1D held a fundraising walk Sunday morning at Six Flags.
Breakthrough T1D, mostly recently known as JDRF, was established in 1970, and throughout the over 50 years of raising money through charity walks, their mission remains the same.
Hundreds of athletes participate in IRONMAN 70.3 in western Mass.
'It funds critical research to help improve lives of people who are living with Type 1, while also looking for a cure,' said Jon Muskrat, Executive Director of Breakthrough T1D in Greater CT & Western MA. 'And also help raise awareness for people about the disease and what some of the warning signs are to look for.'
Hundreds of people gathered, including family, friends, supporters, and those living with Type 1 Diabetes, better known as T1D Champions. Together, all the teams and participants raised $117,000, money that will support research for Type 1, giving hope to families like Stacy Brabender and her son Jacob, who was diagnosed at the age of four.
'It's very overwhelming,' Stacy Brabender said. 'I called his pediatrician when he had bad breath and was drinking a lot of water. I thought I was a crazy mom. It turns out we were sent immediately to the emergency room. We spent the next two days learning how to keep our son alive, because we no longer knew how.'
Now, alongside Jacob and their team called 'Jacob's Justice League,' they are celebrating their ninth year walking towards a cure.
'Seeing people here really makes me feel special,' Jacob Brabender said. 'It makes me feel supported, and it overall makes me happy because they stand by me.'
Families who have a loved one who's been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes know there are highs and lows that come with it.
'I just want to let all other families know that have children with Type 1 Diabetes or anything else, any other illness, that there is a support group out there and you can reach out,' said Carmen, Carlos' mother from 'Carlos' Warriors.' 'There is people to talk to.'
A community supporting each other towards a shared goal, no matter the age.
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