This is why I need your support :)
My name is Ethan and I live with a condition called Type 1 diabetes, a reality that has shaped my every day for the past nine years. For those unfamiliar, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas fails to produce insulin, a crucial hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure.
I was diagnosed with this condition at the tender age of four. Since then, I've had to navigate the many challenges that come with managing Type 1 diabetes. It's a constant juggling act of counting carbohydrates in every meal, accurately administering insulin doses, and carefully monitoring blood sugar levels. Too much insulin, and my blood sugar drops dangerously low. Too little, and it skyrockets, leading to its own set of complications. Balancing these levels is a daily struggle, one that requires constant attention and adjustments 365 days a year, 24/7.
But it's not just about the physical aspect. Living with Type 1 diabetes impacts every area of my life. It means facing the uncertainty of how my body will respond each day, despite following the same routine. It means injecting myself with many needles, including insulin pump infusion sets and continuous glucose monitors, as a reminder of my body's dependence on external help to function normally.
However, these challenges have given me a sense of purpose and determination. I refuse to let Type 1 diabetes define me. Instead, I've become passionate about advocating for a cure. I've dedicated my time to reaching out to policymakers, from my Federal Members of Parliament to Health Ministers, to advocate for more research and funding into Type 1 diabetes.
Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., as the Australian JDRF representative, where I attended Children’s Congress at Capitol Hill and shared my story with U.S. Representatives and Senators. I attended a Senate hearing on Type 1 diabetes and even had the honour of speaking with the Australian ambassador, former Prime Minister Hon. Kevin Rudd, at the Australian Embassy. This experience in the USA was amazing. Our goal was to reduce the cost of insulin for those living with Type 1 diabetes in America and also to ask Congress for $160 million in funding to go towards Type 1 diabetes research. I also met with 160 American and international children just like me who also live with Type 1 diabetes. It was such an honour to represent Australia at the Children’s Congress event, and it has continued to fuel my drive to advocate for Type 1 diabetes research.
On November 26, I will be heading to Parliament House in Canberra for Kids in the House. There, I will meet with the Federal Health Minister and other Federal Members of Parliament, including our electorate leader, Boothby’s Louise Miller-Frost. I will be advocating to them for $50 million in funding to continue JDRF research into Type 1 diabetes. Here is a short video that I would like to share of me interviewing JDRF scientist Professor Simon Barry. This video will be shared at Parliament House with the Health Minister and decision-makers when we attend in November.
JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) is an organisation whose mission aligns with my own—to prevent and ultimately cure Type 1 diabetes. They've been a great source of support, providing resources and driving groundbreaking research that offers hope for a future free from the burdens of this condition.
Now, I invite each one of you to donate in support of Type 1 diabetes and JDRF. Every dollar raised will contribute to the vital research that brings us closer to a cure—a cure that will free not just me, but the 130,000 Australians living with Type 1 diabetes from the constant struggles we face.
Together, let's stand as the 'Blue Army' for JDRF and for everyone impacted by Type 1 diabetes. Join me in supporting a future where needles, carb counting, and daily decisions are no longer a reality. Thank you for your support, it truly means so much to me!
I'm headed to Canberra for Kids in the House in November 2024. Support me today!
I'm thrilled to be part of JDRF's Kids in the House (KITH) advocacy event this November, where I'll be making a real difference in the fight against type 1 diabetes (T1D).
KITH is more than just an event—it's my chance to advocate for crucial funding for CRN4 research and raise awareness about T1D on a national scale. By heading to Parliament House, I will be amplifying my voice and driving change where it matters most.
But I can't do it alone. I need your support to make a meaningful impact. Your donation will help power this important campaign and ensure that my voice is heard loud and clear by decision makers.
Together, let's make KITH 2024 a historic moment in our journey towards a world without T1D. Join me in advocating for Kids in the House and let's make a difference together.
