Another week of politicians blaming each other about Rookwood Weir which just means another week of nothing tangible happening about it. Meanwhile a local Dad with the help of family and friends just gets on with organising a fundraising walk for this Saturday.
I’m sure he would like to lash out and blame someone for his son’s condition, but instead of wasting energy doing that he uses that energy to do something tangible, something positive, something towards making a difference, finding a cure. He’s not the only one, he is a part of a global initiative to rid the world of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). A condition that over 120, 000 Australians have, with 7 more diagnosed each day. There is no known cause, or cure for that matter. You have to learn how to live with it, as does your family, pretty tough for a 4-year-old.
Dad’s name is Matt Doyle, on learning of his son’s, Levi, condition he became aware of JDRF (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and the work they are doing to provide funding so that one day those with the condition can say they ‘had’ T1D.
JDRF started 1970 in the United States and Australia in 1982 with a small group of parents believing their children deserved better and decided to do something tangible about it. Part of this active involvement is to raise funds via the JDRF One Walk.
Matt is the local organiser of Rockhampton’s JDRF One Walk. The 5km walk is on this Saturday at the Kershaw Gardens, walkers are asked to check-in at 8.30am for a 9.00am start. Across the world around one million people will participate in a JDRF One Walk this year and raise around $85M. A fantastic demonstration on what community power can do. Not waiting for others or blaming others, just doing something positive themselves towards what they feel strongly about.
With Rockhampton being a recognised diabetes hotspot, the chances are you know someone who has the condition. To help Matt achieve his participation and financial goals for the day can I urge you to tell others about JRDF One Walk this Saturday and if you and/or they can’t attend then to donate via this internet link https://walk.jdrf.org.au/find-a-walk/qld/rockhampton .
Research the money raised funds will help people you know how to better live with diabetes, and also demonstrate the good our local community can do. If you want to organise a JDRF One Walk in your community talk to Matt this Saturday or visit the web site.
Let’s not have local people blaming they weren’t made aware of this walk. Help Matt in doing his best to help his son, plus the many, many others that have T1D, by bringing this community fundraiser from under the radar to one of prominence by participating and encouraging others to join you.