Nearly three years ago, when Jerilyn Wood fell ill and was taken to the hospital, her parents were unprepared for the diagnosis that would follow.
“[Diabetes] was the last thing on our minds,” says mom Kerri Wood. “But she had gotten really sick…and was flown out to Winnipeg. That’s when everything changed.”
Jerilyn, then just nine years old, had Type 1 diabetes. She was insulin dependent because her pancreas no longer produced the insulin her body needed.
As the Wood family adjusted to the diagnosis, they also decided to help defeat the disease by supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Now the family is preparing to host Flin Flon’s first ever JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.
Typically held in The Pas, the northern chapter walk will be held in Flin Flon on Sunday, June 7.
Focus
The focus for the walk was put on Flin Flon after the Woods’ success with pledges last year in The Pas.
The Jerbear Team, which the family led, brought in $6,000 in pledges toward the grand total of a little over $8,000.
“[The JDRF] were quite impressed and said, ‘Okay, you guys need to take a turn with it,’” says Kerri. “So we thought, ‘Why not?’”
Jerilyn, the JDRF’s current ambassador for the north, is now 12 and an active pre-teen. She continues to enjoy her favourite activities such as figure skating and school sports.
Jerilyn is on two different types of insulin – one being long lasting and one short term. She takes her long-lasting insulin twice a day and her short-term with every meal.
Kerri, who has watched her daughter adjust to her new lifestyle, says there is still a stigma of diabetics not being able to do anything or eat what everyone else eats.
“We really want to raise awareness [with the walk] and educate people on diabetes and even the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes,” says Kerri.
Type 2 diabetes is often brought on by genetics, excess weight and other circumstances whereas Type 1 diabetes is predetermined in the genetic makeup.
“If you’re going to get it, you will,” Kerri says. “It’s predetermined. It just depends on when it will happen.”
As for Jerilyn’s diet and insulin, she is just as active as her friends and often enjoys the same treats.
“In the beginning it was very strict,” says Kerri. “Like she could only have this and couldn’t have that. It’s been two and a half years, so now it’s not that [she] can’t have it, but when [she] can have it.”
Kerri, a mother of two, says managing Type 1 diabetes comes down to a sensible diet and being on top of sugar levels.
“We can go get ice cream as a family after supper one night, that’s fine,” says Kerri. “It’s just we have to account for it with her insulin.”
The Flin Flon area has a large diabetic community. And while there are no local support groups, per se, Kerri says the support from those inside the community is always present.
“It’s funny because once Jerilyn was diagnosed you get to know everyone and it blows your mind how many, and how many kids, are diagnosed [in this community],” Kerri says. “And being a small town, you can talk to anyone about it and they are open.”
Walk
Kerri, Bob, and Jerilyn and sister Indra hope to see a good turnout for the first Walk to Cure Diabetes.
Registration will start at 12 noon on Sunday, June 7 at the Rotary Wheel.
The walk is about three kilometres and will begin at 1 pm.
There will be a juice station along the way and a barbecue and live entertainment to follow.
All money raised will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Pledge forms can be picked up through Scorpio Bearing & Auto as well as Eddie’s Family Foods.
A variety of fundraisers have been held in the community to help meet the Woods’ goal of $10,000 in pledges this year.
Jerilyn held her own cookie sale at École McIsaac School, selling more than 500 cookies and making over $280.
Scorpio Bearing & Auto will hold a barbecue today, Friday, from 12 noon until 2 pm. A plate, made up of a burger, salad and a drink, will cost $5 with proceeds going toward the Walk to Cure Diabetes.
Eddie’s Family Foods will be holding a bake sale on Saturday, June 6.
For more information or to pick up pledge forms for the walk, contact Kerri or Bob at 204-687-0865 or by email at [email protected].
