At age six, Will DeMeritt’s life was forever changed when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Will’s T1D story began when he went in for a routine checkup with his pediatrician. During his visit, the pediatrician requested a finger stick after finding traces of sugar in Will’s urine. His sugar was so high the meter failed to read, and the DeMeritts were rushed to the hospital to receive additional care. Will was diagnosed hours later, having unknowingly lived with T1D for approximately three months. He was incredibly lucky because other than increased water intake, he had developed no additional symptoms, despite his blood sugar reading more than 600.

“We never would have found this if my pediatrician didn’t do a urine test every year,” said Will’s mother, Jennifer DeMeritt. “A lot of the folks that I know with kiddos, most of their doctors don’t do anything like [urine tests annually]. All I can tell you is that it saved my son’s life. It’s so important people know that it isn’t about a diet or your level of activity…it isn’t something you have control over.”

Will and his family first heard about Breakthrough T1D in the hospital when they met their primary diabetic nurse and doctor and received the Bag of Hope. Breakthrough T1D’s support opportunities have afforded the DeMeritt family connections to support groups online, and according to Jennifer, have “led the way in helping them get the resources [their family] needs.”

Four years later and now 10 years old, Will is still progressing and is active in the Breakthrough T1D community. He even had the opportunity to be one of the Breakthrough T1D delegates in the Children’s Congress in Washington D.C. and participates in the annual Breakthrough T1D One Walk on team WillD, with his network of supporters. This year, his twin sister, Mikaila, is helping raise funds through her own art sale and participation in the family’s first-ever car wash fundraiser. “Mikaila sees firsthand what living with T1D is like and wants [Will] to feel good,” said Jennifer.

Overcoming the challenges of living with T1D, Will has become a talented gymnast over the last year, qualifying for both the state and regional competitions. He also enjoys going to Camp Copneconic, a YMCA summer camp for children with diabetes.

This year at the Breakthrough T1D One Walk, team WillD’s goal is to raise more than they did last year. Breakthrough T1D’s One Walk helps raise funds to support research, advocate for policies that accelerate access to new therapies and provide a support network for millions of people around the world impacted by T1D. “Without a cure, our kids are just trying to manage [T1D] … it’s a blessing that we have the technologies that make management easier, but we need to eradicate this awful disease,” said Jennifer.

Join Team WillD for their fourth Breakthrough T1D One Walk on Sunday, September 22, 2019, at Miliken State Park/Detroit River Walk in Detroit as they walk to end T1D. For more information or to register for One Walk, please click here.