PREECEVILLE — The Preeceville School stepped up to support Blake Erickson, a Preeceville School student. Blake was chosen as the National Ambassador for Breakthrough T1D (Type 1 Diabetes). Students from Grades 1-12, staff and Mackenzie Society Ventures clients joined in a special walk on May 23.
Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or JDRF) is a type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization.
Breakthrough T1D funds research for the development of new therapies and treatments for the disease. The organization advocates for federal research funding toward new technologies and treatments and works with regulatory and policy officials to disburse funds. Breakthrough T1D also has partnerships with academia, industry, and clinicians to accelerate research into potential cures for T1D.
Erickson was diagnosed with T1D on Nov. 24, 2017, when he was two years old.
“We got involved in the Melville JDRF Walk in June 2018,” stated Blake's mother Erin Erickson. “We chose Melville because it was the closest centre that hosted a walk, and it is also my hometown. We created Team Blake and have had an overwhelming amount of support with donations and friends and families joining us each year to walk. Team Blake has raised close to $20,000 in the seven years we’ve been walking. We are currently fundraising for our eighth walk. In 2023, Blake was the Melville Walk’s Youth Ambassador. He made a poster showcasing his life, including his diabetes journey. We were the guest speakers to kick off the walk that year. Blake got the honour of cutting the ribbon to start the walk,” said Erickson.
This year, JDRF has changed its name to Breakthrough T1D, as the word ‘juvenile’ made people think only children could be diagnosed with Type 1 or that children would grow out of it as they became adults. The Erickson family was approached by the National Breakthrough T1D community engagement manager, Pam Aldred, to ask if Blake would be interested in being a National Youth Ambassador for this year’s walk.
“We will continue to advocate for Blake and all those living with T1D by walking each year. Another way we help raise money and awareness happened three years ago when our family [Erin, Josh and Blake, along with help from Blake’s grandmother Judy] entered a tree in the Trinity United Church Festival of Trees, with all proceeds going to JDRF/Breakthrough T1D,” Erin said.
“We want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years. Our hope is that one day we can say Blake ‘used to’ have Type 1 Diabetes,” she concluded.
