Family and Community Come Together for Breakthrough T1D One Walk’s Team Trace
in Fundraising

What seemed like troublesome toddler milestones were early warning signs that then-two-year-old Trace, may have type one diabetes (T1D). For his parents, Jillian and Steve, those warning signs were confirmed in the fall of 2014.
They first saw signs of T1D when they worked with Trace on potty training. A week consisting of constant thirst and frequent urination led Steve and his mother Cathy, both nurses, to believe T1D may be a possibility. However, with T1D not running in either of the families, they brushed it away simply as toilet training.
On September 3, 2014, the day before Trace’s diagnosis, the family thought he may have had a stomach bug. He went to bed unusually early that night and several hours later woke up vomiting, lasting every few hours throughout the duration of the night. When Jillian took him to the doctor the next day, he looked incredibly pale with labored breathing; she demanded Trace be seen right away.
Trace’s blood was tested, and his glucose results were 350 mg/dL. An ambulance was called to take Trace directly to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital emergency room. Trace was in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious condition that can lead to death if untreated. Trace remained in the hospital for five days, ranging from the ER, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Pediatric General Floor. At the time, based on his symptoms and his worsened condition, his medical care providers became concerned about possible brain damage.
“Every time his sugar drops, all I can think about is that doctor telling me Trace may be brain dead,” said Trace’s grandmother Cathy.
Trace was stabilized and the hospital informed Jillian she could stay an extra day to assist in her understanding and comfort of how to care for type one. “I knew nothing about T1D, and there’s so much to learn so quickly, I opted to stay at the hospital for an additional day to learn how to care for Trace,” said Jillian.
“I am part of a large support group,” said Jillian. “It’s comforting to be around so many people who go through the same situation. We know we’re not alone.”
While in the hospital, Jillian received a Breakthrough T1D Bag of Hope with Breakthrough T1D contact information and learned more about how Breakthrough T1D is funding critical research toward finding a cure. “After my son’s diagnosis, I knew without question I needed to be an active participant in the T1D community to help find a cure,” she said.
Despite the preparation provided by the hospital and close attention paid to Trace’s care, his sugar levels continued to rise and fall so erratically and without warning, Jillian knew she needed additional support: a diabetic alert dog. Jillian’s take charge personality and motivated family support helped raise $42,000 to pay for the alert dog, which is currently in training. The family expects to have him in Fall 2015, but it’s been a long process.
“I am part of a large support group,” said Jillian. “It’s comforting to be around so many people who go through the same situation. We know we’re not alone.”
Family and friends continue to rally around Trace, with 30 supporters joining “Team Trace” in the Breakthrough T1D One Walk at Hudson Mills Metropark near Ann Arbor on Sunday, October 4.
“We’re here for the cure. No child should have to go through this,” said Jillian.
Breakthrough T1D One Walk draws an enthusiastic crowd of all ages, driven to support a great cause while enjoying an event that features food, fun, entertainment, children’s activities and special attractions. On-site registration for the Breakthrough T1D One Walk at Hudson Mills begins at 8:30 a.m., and the approximately 5k Walk begins at 9:30 a.m., rain or shine.