Our journey began on September 11, 2024—a journey no parent is prepared for and no 7-year-old should ever have to take. My son, Caden, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on top of his recent Celiac Disease diagnosis. A trip to the ER now turning into a seven-day hospital stay. Suddenly, our lives were now filled with blood draws, insulin shots, carb counting, and an overwhelming fear.
Amid all the chaos and tears we were blessed to receive a visit from Breakthrough T1D. They came into our hospital room with a smile, support, and a cute little bear named Rufus! Rufus was a lifeline to my son and the smile and support that day were mine.
Over the past year, I immersed myself in education and sought out community events to connect with other families. One highlight was the “Breakfast with Rufus” event. Caden was thrilled—not only did Rufus get his blood sugar tested, but the entire event celebrated kids like him. The support felt that day was incredible (and Caden loved the swag—especially his hat and bag!).
Team Caden’s logo was created at the Breakfast with Rufus too!
When we learned about the Breakthrough T1D Walk, we knew we had to join. At first, I hesitated to ask for donations—I’ve never been comfortable with fundraising. But then it hit me: this is my son’s life, and this disease needs a cure! Now I know this to be true but something in me just clicked. I was determined to show Caden that he can do anything, that this disease does not define him. I wanted him to know that there is nothing wrong with having hope and asking for support—and we were amazed by the incredible response we received!
This walk will now become a yearly tradition for our family. We chose to make it a celebration of resilience—the strength my son and our family show every single day. It’s a day to honor all that Caden accomplishes throughout the year and how strong he truly is. The walk is a powerful reminder of community, support, and most importantly, that we are not alone.
Look for Team Caden next year—and for many years to come! Together, we can make a difference.