Jessica Allery, 14, raises awareness about diabetes, a disease she copes with daily.
JESSICA Allery absolutely hates having Type 1 diabetes, and the 14-year-old Ipswich girl is determined to raise as much money as possible to fund research into a cure.
She has raised hundreds of dollars in the past, but has set a new goal of raising $3000 by taking part in the Walk to Cure Diabetes in October.
“I’m doing the walk because I have Type 1 diabetes and I hate it – I have to prick myself with a needle six times a day to check my blood and I have to take insulin,” Jessica said.
“I’m also scared I’m going to die from it.”
Jessica said she hoped her fundraising would also help raise awareness of the disease.
“You feel a bit different because some people look at you funny when you’re pricking your finger to test your blood sugar levels – I’ve had some people freak out and think I’m contagious,” she said.
Jessica was diagnosed when she was five years old.
“I’ve grown up with it, and I was also diagnosed with coeliac disease when I was in Grade 3, so that was tough,” she said.
Jessica will be accompanied on the walk by her immediate family, cousins, aunts and grandparents.
The Year 10 student said she had already started working towards her goal of raising $3000.
“I did a zumba night, I have a guess-the-lollies-in-the-jar competition and I’ve also sold jelly babies merchandise,” she said.
“I’ve fundraised before, but if I can raise $3000 it will be the most amount of money I’ve raised over this amount of time.
“I set that goal because it would be my best and I think that would be an amazing amount to donate.”
Jessica has also organised a fundraising skate event that will be held at SkateAway Bundamba on Friday, August 24.
Jessica and her family will take part in the Brisbane Walk to Cure Diabetes under the team name “Jess’ Team”. All money raised through the walk benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia.
HELP JESSICA
Pull on your skates and join Jessica’s SkateAway Bundamba fundraiser on Friday, August 24. It will run from 5-7pm. Entry is $10.
Find Jessica’s fundraising page by searching “Donate to a Walker” on walk.jdrf.org.au.
Register online to take part in the Brisbane walk on October 14 from 9am.
