With a little help from our friends

Donna Flynn describes family life with two children living with type 1 diabetes as, “hectic and challenging but as time goes on it’s getting easier.  It’s just the initial adjustment of having a second child diagnosed at such a young age.”

When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, families must learn how to manage the disease on a daily basis. Education starts immediately with information to absorb and skills to be practiced. Parents are introduced to an array of medical words and terms that describe diabetes and how to manage it; insulins, ketones, shots, pokes, tests, sugars, highs and lows, reactions, control.

The Flynn Family decided to help raise awareness and funds for diabetes shortly after Matthew’s diagnosis in 1997. The Matthew and Cameron Flynn and Friends Walk for Diabetes Research in Buchans has raised approximately $50,000 for the Newfoundland Labrador Region of the Canadian Diabetes Association.  The 2007 Walk in July was extra special as it marked the 10th Anniversary.

“In our first year we hoped to raise $200 to $300 and ended up raising $2000. We are so proud the event has been able to contribute $50,000 towards diabetes research and education,” remarks Donna.

For the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Annual Walk is a testament to the hard work of passionate volunteers. “We rely on people in the community to help raise awareness and funds to support the work of the Association,” states Carol Ann Smith, Regional Director for the Newfoundland Labrador Region of the Canadian Diabetes Association. “Matthew and Cameron Flynn have given the community a face to diabetes and we greatly appreciate the support.”

Roger and Donna credit much of the event success to the overwhelming support of their parents Richard & Eliza Flynn of Forteau, Labrador; Marcus & Patsy Hiscock of Buchans; and the communities of Forteau and Buchans.  Participants in the walk have ranged in age from infants to 82 years.

“The community really takes on this event and people look forward to it each year,” explains Donna. “We plan to keep raising funds and awareness every year until there is a cure.”