By Rebecca Redmond
May 26, 2020
My name is Rebecca Redmond, and I am #MoreThanT1D.
I’m a writer, a public speaker, a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend…and Sir Frederick Banting’s cousin.
Not that long ago, my cousin and a team of amazing researchers in Canada successfully created insulin – the drug that keeps me, and millions of people around the world alive every day.
Before insulin, people living with T1D had a life expectancy of just over one year, following their diagnosis. One in five people lived 10 years long, but experienced severe complications including blindness, kidney failure, stroke, heart attacks and the potential of amputation.
Today, our life expectancy is almost normal.
I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes for over 20 years, experiencing highs lows, frustration and pain. When I discovered JDRF and attended one of their events last year (coinciding with my 20th diaversary) I was so moved by the sense of community I felt. I spent the day with thousands of others who live with T1D, making me feel so much less alone, and understood.
In these times of social distancing, we have to think differently about how we can connect families living with T1D together. We have found a virtual way to come together from the comfort of our own homes to accelerate the pace of T1D research at the JDRF House ParT1D for a Cure presented by Omnipod.
On June 14th, you can join the largest house party in Canada for those touched by T1D. Celebrities such as NHL player Max Domi, country superstar George Canyon, former NHL player Bobby Clarke, endurance athlete Sébastien Sasseville, DJ MC Mario and more will be in attendance. You can also win prizes and hear inspirational stories from the community, as well as research updates.
My cousin never gave up. He and his team pushed through adversity together – and we must do the same. We are #MoreThanT1D! Let’s come together, have some fun and turn type one into type none!
I’ll be there, supporting people like myself who live with a 24/hour/365 day disease. Will you register and fundraise with me?
