AMARILLO, TX —
Each year approximately eighty people per day are diagnosed with type-one diabetes.
It usually strikes unexpectedly and is increasingly affecting people of all ages.
Two year old Abigail Hopkins was diagnosed with type one diabetes early this year.
Abigail’s family is doing their best to keep her happy and healthy.
“It’s more than a twenty four hour job. It’s constantly on your mind. You constantly have to think of what she’s eating, what her activities are and how that’s going to affect her sugar; much less her long-term health,” said Abigail’s father, Michael Hopkins.
Increasingly type one diabetes is found in children and teens; however eighty percent of American’s currently fighting the disease are adults.
Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic’s Dr.Wingo said, “Type-one diabetes can develop at any age. It used to be called juvenile diabetes because it happens most often in young children, teenagers and young adults; but it can happen to people in their fifties, eighties, any age can get it.”
Type one diabetes is a chronic disease. Medical professionals are continuously doing research to help find a cure and discover better treatments.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation hosted the Amarillo 2012 Rock The Park-‘Walk to cure Diabetes,’ in order to raise funds and awareness.
“Eighty percent of the proceeds go back to the juvenile diabetes research foundation to help with research in general. The other twenty percent we use for functions like this to keeping our local chapter involved.” said JDRF local chairman, Douglas Lewis.
Over one thousand people participated at this year’s event and even though they were all walking for different reasons, everyone was fighting for the same cause; uniting for a cure.
