REDLANDS diabetes campaigner Kristyn Ranson will host the local Diabetes One Walk community fundraising event on October 21 at Beth Boyd Park, Thorneside.
Ms Ranson said the event, which is being held for the sixth time, had been growing each year.
“...(It) is a fantastic way for local residents living with diabetes and their families to connect,” Ms Ranson said.
“We have raised more than $50,000 to enable research into this disease since the first event in 2013 but the most gratifying part of this event is seeing the outpouring of community support for locals of all ages living with type 1 diabetes.”
Ms Ranson’s daughter Jess was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 15.
“It was quite a shock to receive the diagnosis,” Ms Ranson said.
“At that time we didn’t know very much about type 1 diabetes nor the life-long impact it would have on my daughter.”
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin, a hormone that turns food into energy.
Sufferers require constant blood glucose testing through painful finger pricks, and a constant supply of insulin by injection or pump, to stay alive.
“Everybody’s journey with the disease is different, however we know how important it is for those affected by type 1 diabetes, as well as their families, to have contact with others in similar circumstances,” Ms Ranson said.
“Our event prides itself on creating that opportunity for connection as well as on increasing community awareness of the disease itself.”
The Redlands event will feature live entertainment, food and drinks stalls and an expo of local businesses and products.
One Walk events brought in more than $1 million for type 1 diabetes research last year.
Register for the Redlands event at walk.jdrf.org.au/find-a-walk/qld/redlands.