35 Faces of the Breakthrough T1D One Walk: Meet Charlie
in Fundraising

35 Faces, 35 years of Walking, 35 Reasons to Give
Hi! My name is Charlie. I am 6 years old. I was diagnosed with T1D when I was 3 years old. Because I was diagnosed so young, I don’t remember what it is like not having T1D. However, I do know that I don’t like getting my finger pricked or getting insulin shots! I really don’t like how my body feels when I have a high blood sugar. I want people to know that I didn’t do anything to cause T1D. My parents didn’t either. T1D won’t go away because of my pump. I also want people to know that I’m not disabled, I’m not sick, and I can do and eat anything that everyone else can.
Ever since I was diagnosed, my family has been walking with Breakthrough T1D. We have raised over $21,000 so far! Last year we held a lemonade stand and bake sale over Labor Day weekend at the Decatur Book Fair. We raised $700 mostly from strangers and some friends. Anyone who stopped by got a free lemonade and treat with any donation to Breakthrough T1D. Some strangers donated a dollar and some donated $20. It was amazing! We also did a Kids Walk at our school. We held a 2-week class competition to see who raised the most money. The winning class got a popsicle social and a gift card donated by the Little Shop of Stories. We raised almost $4,000. Combined, my team raised over $10,000! This year, we will be doing those fundraising activities again and hopefully having a Dine for Diabetes night at a local restaurant! I love that my friends, family, teachers, school nurse and even the media center specialist come walk with me! The best part of the walk is crossing the finish line!
Please consider supporting Charlie’s fundraising efforts by donating to his Breakthrough T1D One Walk team here.