As of yet, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes.
But with annual fundraising efforts such as the JDRF Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes, there is hope that day won害羞草研究所檛 be far away.
More than 500 people turned out Sunday for the 2017 walk at Mission Creek Park and in the process raised $84, 717.
Ninety per cent of those funds will be earmarked for research to find a cure for diabetes.
In 16 years since it began in Kelowna, the walk has raised just over $2 million.
Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Tyler McClellan, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 14, has lived almost two-thirds of his life with the affliction. An active triathlete despite the disease, McClellan says events like Sunday害羞草研究所檚 walk are invaluable to the future of all diabetics.
害羞草研究所淚t means a lot to type 1 diabetics in the world, in B.C., in Canada,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 just about 40 now, I害羞草研究所檝e been a diabetic for 26 years, I might not get the chance to be cured but by this, but a lot of the young people that are here today might have that opportunity.
害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 what we want to accomplish, we raise money for that specific thing, we want to accomplish this just like any other disease that is out there and we害羞草研究所檙e working that.害羞草研究所�
While a cure has yet to be found, the treatment and management of type 1 diabetes has taken considerable steps forward in recent years.
Shannon Polley, manager of fundraising and development for JDRF Kelowna, is encouraged by the progress made in research to date and the possibilities that lie ahead.
害羞草研究所淛ust how far we害羞草研究所檝e come over the last several years and where were are from a treatment perspective, it害羞草研究所檚 like night and day,害羞草研究所� said Polley. 害羞草研究所淏ut we can害羞草研究所檛 take our foot off the gas. We have to continue to look for answers and do what we can to help fund the research that害羞草研究所檚 needed to finally find a cure.害羞草研究所�
This year害羞草研究所檚 edition of the walk has pushed the bar to a new level, raising $12,000 more than the 2016 event.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e very happy with the response of the type 1 community and the people of Kelowna,害羞草研究所� added Polley. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e humbled by the amount of support this has received.害羞草研究所�
More than 50 JDRF walks are held annually across Canada, with close to $6 million being raised each year.
