Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Silvia Senna

'There's no rhyme or reason to your diagnosis'

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation holds fundraiser at BC Wildlife Park

Jun 10, 2024 | 2:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Sunday (June 9), the Kamloops Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) hosted its annual fundraising walk for Type 1 diabetes research at the BC Wildlife Park. The JDRF is the leading organization in funding research into Type 1 diabetes. The goal is to find a cure for the disease and the event is meant to raise funds and awareness about the issue.

“There’s no rhyme or reason to your diagnosis. It’s not from overeating sugar or overeating anything,” explained Shannon Vreeland, the walk coordinator. “My son was diagnosed after he had a flu and his pancreas just stopped working. I like to keep the awareness going that it can be deadly if not managed properly.”

The Kamloops walk surpassed its goal of raising $20,000 for JDRF and participants hope the help will keep coming.

“I was only five-and-a-half, technically six years old when I got it. I just really don’t want to have kids go through what I’m going through, so then hopefully we can find the cure one day,” Kayla Jones told CFJC Today.

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“Even though you don’t know anybody, there’s diabetes in everybody’s lives. Get out, donate, come out to walk, fundraise to show awareness,” encouraged Rachel Wells, who was walking for her niece Kayla.

In the meantime, patients are being encouraged to keep faith.

“No matter how hard it gets, just really try to push through it and just do your best,” said Jones. “You can do anything no matter what you have. You just really got to push through it and be brave.”