On September 29, 2016 my daughter Julia was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). On the way to the ER, all I could think of was how life was forever changed for her. No turning back. She was just 7 years old and started 2nd grade.  I drove wishing we could just go back to when I didn’t suspect T1D.   She sat in the back seat with a huge smile not knowing what she was in for. The days ahead meant tons finger pricks to check her blood sugar, multiple insulin injections a day, and carb counting for each and every meal and snack.

Once we were home, she asked “Mommy, how many days do I have to do this? How long do I have this for?” To tell your child forever was heart breaking. Fortunately, enough, we teamed up together, mom and daughter, and made a promise that we would fight for a cure and surround ourselves with lots of support from our friends, family, and community. Julia is now 10 years old and has an unbelievable positive attitude and support system. Nothing stops her from achieving her goals despite managing her T1D 24/7.

Julia was the first ever in her school to have T1D. This meant that education and awareness was of major importance. Julia made it her priority and together with Breakthrough T1D we made it happen!

Breakthrough T1D Powered by Kids program gives us the power to educate, inspire and motivate. It offers many ways for children, their schools and your community to discover how volunteerism and support make a difference for kids living with T1D.

It’s simply amazing to see kids helping kids and a community come together to raise money for a cure. Julia says “it makes me happy and excited to raise money for a cure but also to educate my friends because they always have a lot of questions “

The in-school interactive assembly teaches students and staff about diabetes, the difference between type 1 and type 2, and allows everyone to ask questions about this disease. Your school chooses how they would like to raise funds for T1D research—host a walkathon and sneaker sale campaign at the school, participate as a team in the fall One Walk events, or create a Breakthrough T1D Your Way campaign. The flexible fundraising options with digital tools lets your school do anything to teach students and staff about diabetes and help create a world without T1D.

Julia feels empowered and hopeful because of her school’s involvement in the program, “I am focused on helping myself and all the others who are wishing for the same dream to come true… a world without T1D!”

I’m so proud of the rockstar Julia has become and all that she has embraced. I couldn’t ask for anything more as her mom.

Please join me in helping our children make a difference! Contact Stacy DiArchangel at sdiarchangel@BreakthroughT1D.org or 732-945-1127 for resources and ways to get your school involved this year!

Sincerely,

Tracey Ingrasselino

T1D mom
Mahwah, NJ