VAC AERO Supports Juvenile Diabetes Research

Diabetes is a disease that touches millions in one way or another, whether it's those with the disease or the friends and family members who support them. Simply put, diabetes is a serious disease that impairs the body's ability to use food properly. Juvenile-onset diabetes (also known as Type I Diabetes) is the more serious form of the disease. It is treated with insulin injections, lifestyle adjustments, and careful monitoring of blood glucose levels using blood test kits. Today, even with the availability of insulin, about one-half million North Americans die each year as a result of diabetes and its complications like heart and kidney disease, stroke, blindness and amputation. At this point, Juvenile Diabetes is an incurable disease but, through research, hope is strong that a cure is within reach. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), founded by Canadians in 1974, is the world’s largest non-profit foundation funding diabetes research.

Two nine-year old girls, Emily Pritchard and Gaibriell Clarke, are living with Juvenile Diabetes. Friends since junior kindergarten, they were diagnosed with diabetes a year apart and have grown closer due to the common bond they share. Both are coping with the disease with an amazing level of maturity, enduring numerous finger pokes each day and regularly adjusting their insulin pumps, food intake and physical activities to try to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. VAC AERO and its employees are supporting Emily, Gaibriell and other kids like them in the search for a diabetes cure through monthly charity fundraisers and other activities.

Each summer, the Walk to Cure Diabetes is held in cities across North America. This year, Emily and Gaibriell led a walkathon team called the EG-GO GIRLS (Emily and Gaibriell – you GO girls!!) that raised more than $12,000. The amount included generous donations from VAC AERO employees, suppliers and friends.

The local Walk itself raised more than $400,000 and surpassed its fundraising target. Over 90% of the money raised goes directly to diabetes research. There is a very strong chance a cure for Juvenile Diabetes will be found within Emily and Gaibriell’s life time. In the meantime, they say thanks to everyone for providing their support.