By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A LOCAL diabetes campaign has exceeded all expectations.
The T1D Cards for a Cure campaign, which saw donation cards made available at Coles in Eden Rise Shopping Centre during October, was extended for all of November and is likely to be set up in more Casey stores next year.
All proceeds will go towards the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Berwick mother and passionate type one diabetes (T1D) campaigner Deb Bayley said she was amazed by the response the new campaign received.
All up the initiative raised $1561.65.
“I am just so thankful that in June this year Coles accepted my proposal and agreed to having our campaign run in their store,” she said.
“The campaign was originally to run throughout October but our major sponsor extended it for another month.
“This was fantastic because during November there was World Diabetes Day (WDD).
“This gave us another opportunity to raise awareness and educate people of all ages about type one diabetes, as well as raise the much needed funds so that researchers can find a cure for this lifelong disease.”
Deb is known throughout the Casey community for her efforts in raising awareness about T1D.
Her 14-year-old son Ryan was diagnosed with the disease when he was a toddler and he was keen to help his mum prepare for the T1D Cards for a Cure project.
Deb said Coles had indicated that it wanted to roll out the campaign in additional Casey stores next year.
“I’ve been to see some of the store managers and tell them what I do and why I do it,” she said.
And Deb hopes next year’s campaign will bring the same joy and hope that this year’s did.
“While I was placing more T1D Cards at registers for our campaign, a young girl was putting her card on the wall,” she said.
“I thanked her and her mother for making a donation and for supporting our cause.
“The lady reached out a hugged me and said ‘thank you for educating us’.
“‘You are a very brave mum’.”
For more information, visit www.jdrf.org.au.
