Why did you decide to undertake this challenge?
It was my aunty who thought it would be a great idea to raise awareness and funding for JDRF. I was so happy that she decided to do this and it was great to have my family and friends being part of the JDRF team.

What inspires you?
I am inspired to do the fundraising for JDRF because I am hoping that one day JDRF will find a cure. My aunty (Jenny Wickham) has inspired me to do the Pub2Pub run as a fundraiser as she has won it so many times. I saw doing the run as a challenge. I also wanted to show that having Type 1 diabetes doesn’t have to stop you from doing anything.

What support did you need?
My family and friends supported the JDRF team and me.

What preparation did you need?
My mum made sure I had eaten the right food before the race so that my BGL’s would stay at a good level. My fitness was already pretty good because I do a lot of sport.

What was your fundraising goal?
$1000.

What will be the greatest challenge?
The sand at the start of the race, the hills and running in a Smurf costume.

How did you feel after you finish?
Relieved, happy and amazed I could do it.

We would like to congratulate Chloe and her team of participants in the Pub2Pub fun run last month. The team dressed as Smurfs won the Best Dressed prize of $1000 for JDRF. You can show your support for Chloe’s great achievement at her Everyday Hero page.

JDRF is seeking $40m in Federal Government funding to establish the CTN, with a contribution from JDRF of $10m. The Government’s recent initial commitment of $5m for the CTN was a positive first step.

The Federal Opposition today committed to providing the full funding required to establish a CTN if elected. JDRF Youth Ambassadors personally thanked Mr Abbott for his support.

Chris Yates, resident of Mr Abbott’s electorate and mother of a JDRF Youth Ambassador, said that by making the funding commitment, the Federal Opposition Leader had confirmed that he has a full understanding of the challenges of life with type 1 diabetes and the desperate need for increased access to clinical trials.

“This commitment is a demonstration of support for the type 1 diabetes community. I hope we can make the case for government funding for clinical trials because this investment will save money and lives in the long run,” said Chris.

“As a parent it is so disappointing to think that there are treatments and technologies available overseas that my daughter can’t access. These could make a huge difference by protecting her against common diabetes complications like blindness and kidney failure, and giving us real hope that she could lead a long and healthy life.”

JDRF’s CEO Mike Wilson said that the additional $35m in government funding for the CTN was necessary to provide security of funding for clinical trials, which often run for several years.

“Parents of children with type 1 diabetes have told us that continuity of funding is paramount. Without certainty that a clinical trial will run its course, families should not be asked to sign up their child.”

“The need for a CTN is clear: Australia has fallen behind the US and UK in therapies and technologies for people with type 1 diabetes. One particular gap in clinical trials is the Artificial Pancreas, which improves health for people with type 1 diabetes and is available in the US and UK, but not Australia.”

“An American child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes can choose to participate in a number of clinical trials that will slow down progression of this devastating disease. An Australian child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just doesn’t have this opportunity.”

“We know that government investment in medical research delivers a substantial benefit to the health system in the long term. We can expect that the CTN will deliver preventative health benefits and help to reduce the heavy cost burden of diabetes on our hospitals.”

“Australia has one of the highest rates of type 1 diabetes in the world and the rate of new cases in Australian children is rising by 3% every year. This situation is urgent.”

Supported by a crowd of family members, total numbers at Kids in the House will hit 300. They are visiting Canberra as representatives of the 140,000 children and adults in Australia with type 1 diabetes, and the tens of thousands more who care for them.

The Youth Ambassadors will personally meet with nearly 100 MPs to explain why they desperately need government funding for a Clinical Trials Network, which would improve Australian patients’ access to the latest science and speed up the process of curing the serious disease they will otherwise have for life.

JDRF CEO Mike Wilson said it was critical for MPs to understand the serious health implications of type 1 diabetes and the need for continued support of Australian research.

“Australian patients deserve access to the best science, and we should take every opportunity to be the ‘clever country’.”

“The Clinical Trials Network will turn the best science into benefits for patients, by helping to translate the best of Australian research into improved clinical outcomes and attracting international trials and investment to Australia.”

“Investment in the Clinical Trials Network would be a continuation of existing research support, and JDRF will leverage this funding with help from local philanthropists.”

“We know that public investment in research delivers returns, so support of the Clinical Trials Network is a step toward reducing one of the heaviest burdens on Australia’s health system – diabetes.”

“On top of this, the human impact of a cure is incalculable.”

“Australia has one of the highest rates of type 1 diabetes in the world and the rate of new cases in children in this country is rising by 3% every year. This situation is urgent.”

Sign Our Petition

Show your support for The Clinical Trials Network by signing our petition below. We will give the signatures to the Prime Minister at the Kids in the House event. Send this page to your friends, family and collegues now as it will be given to the Prime Minister on Thursday 17th March.

Please note, you must have a valid email address for your signature to be recorded. Your email address will NOT be recorded.

Youth Ambassadors make up a large part of our volunteer base and we are pleased to announce the 2008 Youth Ambassador of the year winners.

National

The national Youth Ambassador of the Year was Malcolm Fleming of Coolah, NSW.

He won due to his dedication to let people know that type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease and needs a cure. His achievements in 2008 include:

Campaigning his local federal MP and Health Minister

Going to the NSW State Parliament House to talk with MP

Creating a 18km bike ride to raise money called the “Tour de Coolah”

Has been busy getting his face on all types of media including TV, radio and newspapers relaying the message that JDRF are trying to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Well done Malcolm, the National Youth Ambassador of the Year!

His local news station was even there to cover the event and interview the proud winner.

NSW

Brendan Rose won in NSW due to being actively involved in many function with JDRF including meeting his NSW Premier, his State MP and many other ministers that he has personally built a relationship with. Brendan will also JDRF Australia’s representative during the US Children’s Congress.

VIC

Breanne Rush has been a Youth Ambassador for less than a year, but in that time has contributed greatly with raising awareness about type 1 diabetes. She has been featured in numerous articles in local papers for raising awareness for Jelly Baby Month, Insulin Pump Grants and the Walk to Cure Diabetes.

ACT

Erin Cross is a girl with maturity beyond her years. While being only 10 years old, Erin has been able to speak to numerous companies about living with type 1 diabetes and how it affects her life. She has also met members of parliament and attended events such as the Walk to Cure Diabetes and Golf days.

SA

Jordon Collette won in SA because of his extremely professional speaking. He has spoken on numerous occasions in 2008 and invests a great deal of time in preparing his speech and always delivers a professional speech.

WA

Cody Nash is a regular at JDRF WA events, but it was his efforts in the Walk to Cure Diabetes that really highlighted his skills. Cody took on a personal challenge in fundraising and sent out many letters, visited people and worked hard to raise funds. His efforts were rewarded with the family team being the third highest fundraisers.

QLD

Rebekah Holt is a recent Youth Ambassador and has hit the ground running, being involved with Jelly Baby Month, Promise to Remember Me and the Walk to Cure Diabetes. She has been not only been attending, with her bright and bubbly personality she has also had some very creative suggestions for the JDRF team.

TAS

Emma Crack won as she went to great lengths to keep in contact with her local Member of Parliament and keep the momentum going from her work with Kids in the House. She also did a great job of going to Melbourne and meeting with Dr Brendan Nelson and handling the pressure of speaking about her life with type 1 diabetes. Emma has also done a great job in selling a large amount of Jelly Baby Month merchandise.

Jazmin not only informed Adelaide viewers that JDRF is aiming for $1 Million from Jelly Baby Month sales this month, but also where to buy them from and reminded all that ‘Jelly Babies save lives’. Jazmin is looking forward to her next media moment, including getting some media and public speaking training from the ‘Speakers Studio’ in Adelaide along with other keen JDRF Ambassadors.

Jazmin isn’t the only potential TV star in South Australia as Thomas Hayes has been offered work experience with Channel 9, and Emma Russell has work experience with Channel 7.

Four Youth Ambassadors attended the Adelaide Spin to Cure Diabetes. Thomas Hayes, one of the Youth Ambassadors who attended, was able to stand up in front of the large crowd, getting the microphone from Andrew Montessi (Channel 9 News Reporter) and did such a great job that Andrew has now offered Tom work experience with Channel 9.

Emma Russell, who also attended the Spin to Cure Diabetes, has now also got work experience with Channel 7.

Well done to these Youth Ambassadors spreading the words about type 1 diabetes in the community.

If you would like to attend the public speaking training in Adelaide you can contact Carmen Bishop on (08) 8338 3677.

Dan discussed type 1 diabetes with 11 of the 22 Ministers who attended, including the Health Minister and the Minister for Science and Medical Research. And he didn’t miss a beat when the Premier, the Hon. Nathan Rees MP, walked over to say “You must be Danny”.

Dan’s mum Julie reported that Dan was ‘a breath of fresh air at the meeting’. It seems that most of the Ministers knew about JDRF and were receptive. Like many in the community, some of the politicians mixed up type 1 with type 2 diabetes but Dan was quick to point out the difference. Hearing about type 1 from such an eloquent YA, the politicians are unlikely to make that mistake again.

Dan was pleased to hear such positive responses from the politicians. One Minister had been on the Walk, another to a Research Dinner. Others talked about their Promise to Remember Me advocates and Kids in the House. “It was so good for him to see that he and the other YAs are making a difference by standing up for type 1,” said Julie.

Dan’s parents believe that the meetings will be productive in more ways than one. “Dan did a fantastic job of raising awareness and it was also really good for his self esteem. Amongst all the attention he conducted himself really well. Even people waiting with us in the queues to meet the Ministers were talking about type 1 diabetes,” said Dan’s dad, Brad.

Dan didn’t forget fundraising while he was on duty as an advocate. The Superintendent of the Newcastle Fire Department invited him to visit the station and talk to the officers about fundraising help for the Walk to Cure Diabetes.

Having attracted attention from the local radio station and newspaper, Dan was able to share the message with his community as well. Perhaps in a few years he will be sitting on the other side of the politician’s desk?