A non profit diabetes organization is set to hold an interactive and educational event in Sarnia for kids and families affected by T1D.
I Challenge Diabetes will be at Alexander McKenzie Secondary School Sunday for a day of sports, dance, and informative workshops.
Sarnia volunteers Tana Manchester and Cindy Batchelar, both mothers of 11-year-olds with T1D, reached out to I Challenge Diabetes to seek help for their kids, Kyra and Seth.
Manchester said the whole concept is about creating an environment where kids can learn and grow together.
"They really want to empower youth, and really just anyone living with diabetes, to have confidence and the knowledge to overcome issues that arise from managing diabetes, and to form a supportive network," said Manchester. "Type 1 diabetes isn't something you get a break from, so having a good support system is crucial."
Manchester said she had no idea what it meant to live with T1D day in and day out before Kyra was diagnosed.
"She feels different than others, she feels like nobody understands, so that's part of the reason I was searching for something for her other than the support that our family can give her-- the day to day management of it, talking to her about it," said Manchester. "But I really felt like she needed to be around others that knew what she was going through, and so that she could see these people living successful, happy, healthy lives."
Manchester is encouraging other parents and guardians that feel the same way to attend the upcoming event.
The full day of activities goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission is $10 per family.
Manchester said she hopes this is the first of many I Challenge Diabetes events in Sarnia.
The non profit organization was founded in 2017 by Canadian Olympic rower Chris Jarvis, who was also diagnosed with T1D at a very young age.
For a link to the event, click here.