Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Without insulin, glucose builds up in your blood instead of being used for energy. Your body produces glucose and also gets glucose from foods like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, milk and fruit. Unlike type 2 diabetes, T1D is not linked to being overweight, lack of exercise or other lifestyle factors. It is not preventable and its cause is unknown.
The Good News, you can live with T1D!
You can live a long and healthy life by keeping your blood glucose (sugar) levels in the target range set by you and your health-care provider:
You can do this by:
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Taking insulin as recommended (and other medications, if prescribed by your doctor)
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Monitoring your blood glucose (sugar) levels regularly using a home blood glucose meter*
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Eating healthy meals and snacks
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Enjoying regular physical activity
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Aiming for a healthy body weight
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Managing stress effectively
BUT... Someone we love needs a Cure!
The Challenges of Living with T1D
People with T1D must take insulin via syringe or insulin pump in required doses in order to control glucose levels in their blood. This continuous glucose monitoring involves testing their blood sugar by pricking their finger(s) six or more times a day. Despite this constant attention, people with T1D still run the risk of dangerously high blood sugar levels, which can lead to complications, or dangerously low blood sugar levels, which can result in a coma.
Tristan Currie
Age: 4
Fort St. John, BC
Tristan was diagnosed with T1D in ?????? <to be updated>
Sam Webster
Age: 14
Fort St. John, BC
Sam was diagnosed with T1D in January of 2015 after going into diabetic ketoacidosis and almost losing his life. Since he has adjusted to the daily insulin injections and has continued a very active lifestyle of playing hockey, soccer and cycling. Sam is a popular outgoing teenager, with a bright future before him. But he constantly runs the risk of his blood sugar going low and dying or the threat to his long term health from high blood sugars.
What is Type One Diabetes?
