PA mom walks for her son in Juvenile Diabetes Walk

The annual walk is a way to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“They are a charitable funder and advocate for Type 1 diabetes research worldwide. The goal is to cure, treat and prevent Type 1 diabetes.”

Type 1 diabetes is a life-threatening autoimmune disorder that destroys the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin.

“[The foundations] goal is trying to improve the lives of people who have Type 1 diabetes or in the future find a cure,” said Hovdebo.

Those with Type 1 diabetes have to prick their finger to draw blood multiple times a day, along with multiple injections of insulin.

They also have to count their carbohydrates and keep track of what they are eating.

Hovdebo got involved with the walk when her now eight-year-old son Logan was only four-years-old; he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

“I heard about the walk a year after my son was diagnosed. I phoned the person who was running it at the time and asked for further details because I wanted to make a difference in my son’s life,” she explained.

“I just really feel it’s important people get the information about Type 1 and that it’s different then Type 2. I feel really good about doing it and hopefully making a difference in children’s lives one day.”

Three days after the Sept. 13 walk will be Logan’s four year anniversary since his diagnosis.

When it comes to finger pokes and insulin injections, Hovdebo said it’s nothing to him now.

“You tell him to go test his blood and he’s like ‘OK’ and he does it all himself.”

Logan has even been a Junior Ambassador for a number of years now too.

Hovdebo said they are still looking for volunteers for the walk.

She said they need volunteers to help with the registration table for the participants, they need people to put up signs along the walking trail and then they need people who can help with kid’s activities like face painting.

They also need people to help barbecue for the participants after the walk.

Anyone looking to help volunteer can call Hovdebo at 306-960-8158.

Hovdebo said there is still also time for teams to get together and raise pledges in time for the walk.Those wishing to participate can sign up their teams on the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations website.

She said in total they are hoping to raise approximately $10,000.

One of her goals is to help create a support network for families who are affected by diabetes.

“There’s lots of families in Prince Albert that are affected. There’s very little support in the city so that’s something we’re aiming for after the walk.”

They are hoping for an October start date for the support group.

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahthesquid

by Sarah Wallace

PA mom walks for her son in Juvenile Diabetes Walk

What's Trending