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

35 Faces, 35 years of Walking, 35 Reasons to Give
I found out I had type one diabetes (T1D) when I was 8 years old. My family and I were moving from North Carolina to Atlanta and what would have been a 5 hour car ride turned into a 7-8 hour car ride. I was so thirsty and couldn’t stop drinking water. One of my friends in North Carolina had just been diagnosed with T1D a few weeks earlier, and my Mom thought I had the same symptoms. We immediately went to the doctor, and my Mom’s suspicions were right – I had T1D. Ever since I was diagnosed, my family and I have been very involved with Breakthrough T1D. The last 2 years I have been an ambassador at the Breakthrough T1D Hope Gala and had a Breakthrough T1D One Walk team. Our team name is Sugardragons…BAM! A few weeks before I was diagnosed with T1D, I drew a picture of a dragon with lollipops and other candy all around it. This dragon was the inspiration for my team name and t-shirt! I love everything about the Walk – especially the Walk itself. After we walk, I like to get my face painted and jump on the bounce houses. My parents and brother make me feel really special on Walk day. We even go to the Varsity afterwards to grab lunch!
Since we began walking, we have raised over $6,000. My favorite way to raise money is by having a bake sale in my neighborhood! I am now in middle school, but when I was in elementary school, my school held a pajama day and helped raise funds for my Walk team. Last year we raised over $800! The reason why I raise money is because every time I have a pod failure, have to prick my finger or change a pod, I think this could all be gone one day. Martin Luther King Jr. once said “I have a dream. . .” I have a dream, a dream for a day free from shots, pens, and pumps. That day won’t be known without a cure, which won’t be known without your help. I want people to know that it’s not my fault I have T1D, and I can still do anything I want to do.
Please consider supporting Erin’s fundraising efforts by donating to her Breakthrough T1D One Walk team here.