COMMUNITY: Retro Zumba inspired by Love for Kids with Diabetes; A JDRF Fundraiser

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Donna

Seven year old Sammy was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in 2012 when she was just 17 months old.

Sammy is the Manitoba Ambassador for juvenile diabetes and is just one of the many children affected by this condition.

Not many know that even kids (or babies) can be affected by this auto-immune disease which is not preventable and has no cure.

Since she was diagnosed as a baby, Sammy has had more than 15,000 insulin injections because her body does not produce insulin.

photo of Sammy @ 17 months when was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

Sammy’s mother Tracey has to count, weigh or measure everything she eats and gives her insulin injection.

Each night, Tracey also has to check Sammy’s blood sugar to make sure she does not slip into a coma from low blood sugar.

Tracey and husband Norm try to make Sammy feel as “normal” as possible by making her active and involved in many fun activities.

She confided though that extra planning is needed in every aspect of Sammy’s life to make sure she is feeling and doing great— school, travel, play time, parties or simply everyday life.

“Sending her to day camp means I have to train the staff. Not all camps will accept her. She dances Red River Jig, sings, and is a Beaver Scout. She still gets to enjoy all the normal childhood treats like cake during parties or candies at halloween, etc. We just have to give her insulin for it and sometimes adjust the timing a bit.”

Sammy is also actively part of the performers for the Belgian Pavillion at the Folklorama 2018.

TEAM SAMMY AND BLUE STREAK FOR JDRF

For many years, Tracey and her family has been actively organizing events to help support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

JDRF is the leading global organization funding and supporting T1D research.

Their goal is to raise funds to support the most advanced international research and progressively remove the impact of this disease from T1 D affected lives – to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure them.

“We have taken part in seven of JDRF’s walk to Cure Diabetes through our Team Sammy. It gets larger every year! It is a good way to raise funds and a chance for all the Type 1 families to come together. “

Tracey’s family also hosts the Blue Streak Challenge every year in November during Diabetes Awareness month and donate the money to JDRF.

“My coworker braids Blue Hair streaks and people make a donatiion to JDRF.”

They have also done other fundraisers like the Curling Bonspiel and T shirt fundrasiers.

Zumba for JDRF this summer!

On Saturday, August 18, 2018, for the first time, a Zumba masterclass fundraiser in support of JDRF will be held with the help of a group of Zumba Instructors (ZIN) volunteers.

The “Zumba for JDRF to Cure Diabetes” brings together families, neighbors and friends in an evening of dance fitness @ the Maples Collegiate, 1330 Maples.

Together with Sammy and her family- ZINs Shirley, Jen, Leah (Zwaggers), Cecilia and Daisy and friends hope to create awareness about T1D in children.

ZIN Shirley said the event will bring some of the dance craze of the 90’s 80’s or 70′ s back on the dance floor. “Yay! We are excited to see you in your retro costume as we all have fun for a good cause.”

Supporters of this event will be able to do their share in joining Sammy’s family in their mission. Donation of $10 entrance fee includes entrance to the event, snacks and chance to win door prizes. Event coincides with Zwagger’s 5th Anniversary.

While sweet and smart Sammy bravely fight and face her day-to-day journey with needles and pokes, JDRF hopes that through support from donors, research work will accelerate to finally find the cure for children with T1D.

Join the fun, dance your heart out and spread some Zumba Love to support children like Sammy.

Thank you to all generous sponsors. For more information on the projects that JDRF is currently sponsoring, please check:

https://www.jdrf.ca/

#jdrf

#jdrfmanitoba

#retrozumba

#zwaggers

#type1diabetes

Posted in All Stories, Community News

COMMUNITY: Retro Zumba inspired by Love for Kids with Diabetes; A JDRF Fundraiser

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