Avery’s Story

10 year old dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes

BY RESIDENT SARAH WALTER

November is National Diabetes Month. This month is a time to raise awareness and support people affected by diabetes.

AVERY’S STORY

Our 10-year-old daughter, Avery Walter, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on January 31st of this year. What began as a routine doctor’s visit suddenly turned into a life-altering experience when we learned Avery was in DKA (diabetic coma) and had T1D. In the months since, Avery has shown remarkable strength and resilience. She has transitioned from being fearful of needles to managing multiple injections and finger pricks daily, and now wears a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) and an Omnipod (insulin pump). Avery’s diagnosis is particularly poignant for us because her grandfather was a pioneer in diabetes research. He invented the first technology for test strips utilized by portable glucose test monitor, and his groundbreaking work has come full circle to impact our family directly. This connection deepens our commitment to finding a cure for T1D and supporting the ongoing research that will make a difference. Demonstrating her own dedication to this cause, Avery recently organized “Avery’s Army Lemonade Stand,” a fundraising event that showcased her determination and the community’s support. Through her hard work and the generosity of our neighbors, she raised an incredible $1,500 for T1D research. We were honored to have the Mayor of Park Ridge visit the stand, highlighting the community’s solidarity and commitment to finding a cure.

Tell us about the organization that Avery is raising money for, what is the organization’s mission and who does the organization benefit: Founded in 1970 by families whose loved ones had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), Breakthrough T1D (formally

JDFR) is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. As the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, they help make everyday life better while driving toward cures. They are opening doors that were once closed by T1D diagnosis. Leading the way to more effective solutions by connecting the brightest minds to advance treatments, influence policy, and improve access to care. driving innovation forward, we will make T1D a thing of the past.

Where or how can others support Avery or this organization? Avery participated in the Breakthrough T1D walk on September 29th in Chicago. Avery’s Team “Avery’s Army” raised over $20,000. Her team was the number 1 team for fundraising. You can support Avery by donating to Breakthrough T1D and joining Avery’s Army next year and attend future fundraising events - her lemonade stand will be an annual pop up event!

What are you most thankful for? I’m most thankful that Avery is okay and that we now know what’s going on. For months, I sensed something was off but couldn’t pinpoint it. Mom gut is real! The night before her diagnosis, I was with a friend, sharing how I had pushed for a doctor’s visit because we needed to figure this out. That persistence, along with the incredible support of our friends and family, led us to today—a diagnosis, a treatment plan, and the hope for a cure one day!

Rejuvenation & Empowerment

That persistence, along with the incredible support of our friends and family, led us to today—a diagnosis, a treatment plan, and the hope for a cure one day!