know the struggles of having diabetes and having to deal with it every day. I can’t wait to see them all again when I return to camp next year in the summer. It’s a struggle to live with diabetes. Having always to explain what it is and how it works whenever I meet new people, all the pain that comes along with it, and not to mention all the scars and wounds I have due to applying my pods and pricking my finger. It’s also hard to go to a school where only one other girl has diabetes, and she’s not even in my grade. Even my own family doesn’t understand the constant battle, although my mom tries very hard to help me overcome any pains or troubles that come along with it. And it’s more than just physical pain; it is emotionally painful to have diabetes too. I have to live with the fact that it is going to take a while for a cure to be found, and while there have been many technological advancements, it doesn’t quite compare to being diabetic free. This thought used to upset me a lot, and after my mom had tucked me into bed, I would cry myself to sleep. I have outgrown this trend, and I have accepted the fact that, for most of my life, I will live with diabetes and have to deal with it. There are a few perks to being diabetic, though. For example, if I wasn’t diabetic, I would never have met my friends at my camp. Another perk is that whenever my family and I go to an amusement park, we will get fast passes for my diabetes, which is always lovely, especially when you have a family of six. Being diabetic has also taught me multiple lessons, such as responsibility, to always be careful, and not to take life for granted. I value these lessons every day, and they have helped me through my life. I now know how to be responsible with my diabetes and with other aspects of my life, to always come prepared, and to have fun as I grow older and make new memories with my friends and family. I know to always be cautious but also to not let diabetes be the center of my life at all times.
Dear Women with Passion and Purpose, Thank you for volunteering your time and energy to raise funds in support of Diabetes Canada D-Camps. Every dollar you raise helps to make an authentic camp experience possible for children and youth with type 1 diabetes. For many families who are struggling with the cost of diabetes care, sending their kids to camp would be out of reach without funding support from caring community partners like you. Your contributions also help to ensure doctors, nurses and dieticians are on-site around the clock to keep campers healthy and safe. And you enable camps to replenish equipment such as canoes, ping pong balls, and arts and crafts supplies, to make the camp experience the best it can be. Children with type 1 diabetes can sometimes feel isolated in their day-to-day lives. At D-Camps, they are surrounded by other kids as well as many camp counsellors who have type 1 diabetes – creating a sense of belonging. Meeting and connecting with other kids who share the same experiences they do is incredibly empowering. D-Camps also give campers the opportunity to develop confidence in their diabetes management. Your generous support makes it all possible. On behalf of families in your community affected by diabetes and all of us at Diabetes Canada, thank you again for all that you do to help give kids with type 1 diabetes an unforgettable camp experience. Sincerely,
Mary Ann Azzarello VP Fund Development
Eva 1300 – 522 University Avenue Toronto, ON, M5G 2R5 Call us: 1-800-BANTING (226-8464) Diabetes.ca Charitable Number: 11883 0744 RR0001
