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What is Pedal for Pat?
Pedal for Pat is a celebration of the life, tenacity, and spirit of a beloved DCCT client, Pat, who passed this last year after living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for over 7 decades. On 5/22/2022, our long-time volunteer, Jack, plans to ride his bike – nonstop – from Seattle, WA to Eugene, OR. Jack, who worked closely with Pat and has T1D, will complete the 318-mile bike route as an ode to the beautiful life lived by Pat, as a fundraiser for DCCT’s restructuring and programs, and as a demonstration of the high-level athletic achievements capable by people with T1D.
Pedal for Pat’s 318-mile route, which is over twice the encapsulation of Pat’s can-do attitude and undying optimism; it is a representation of the attitude that helped Pat to live a long, healthy, and beautiful life with type 1 diabetes.
However: living a happy, healthy life with type 1 diabetes requires far more than just a positive attitude. It requires support – support from medical professionals, family members, friends, and organizations like DCCT! We are passionate about helping people with type 1 diabetes overcome barriers so they can take control of their diabetes, and of their lives. We would not be able to provide our services without the generosity of our donors: we thank you for all that you do for people with diabetes.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which your body’s own immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas responsible for making insulin. The exact cause of T1D is not known. There is no cure, and all people with T1D require insulin to survive. T1D “management” — i.e. calculating the right amount of insulin needed based on numerous variables (food, exercise, stress) – can be challenging even for people living with the condition for decades. Adequate education, support, and resources are therefore essential in order to meet this challenge, especially for people who are newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
What are we fundraising for?
Your donations are a crucial part of DCCT’s ability to continue restructuring and reimagining the future of
our programs. Having greater access to funding will allow us to continue developing and broadening our
programs to improve the lives of people with type 1 diabetes. Some of our programs include:
Advocacy for medication, resources, and technology:
It’s no secret that the cost of insulin can be an incredible burden for many people living with diabetes. People with T1D require insulin to survive and deserve access to this lifesaving medication without worrying about finances. While we at DCCT are restructuring, helping our clients overcome financial barriers in obtaining medication will remain a priority, and we need your help to continue to provide this crucial service.
Pat’s Place:
An up-and-coming program at DCCT, Pat’s Place is a 3 day program that will provide comprehensive education immediately after diagnosis, periodic treatment review, technology assessment and training, “burn-out” support. It is a personalized diabetes life-coaching experience that will be staffed by trained professionals as well as our BETA mentors. We are especially excited to provide this service to those newly diagnosed and to teens facing the challenges of learning to manage diabetes more independently. Most of all it will allow individuals to learn it is possible to live a happy and healthy life with type 1 diabetes.
BETA (Buddies Empower Teach and Achieve)
BETA is a free 8 – 12-week mentorship program for
children and teens with type one diabetes.
Each mentee is paired with trained paraprofessionals
that provide education, support, and encouragement
to those living with type 1 diabetes.
Community Education:
Imagine: you’re a coach at a summer camp, and you’ve just learned that one of your campers has T1D. Watching over that new camper may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to! DCCT provides certified trainings for schools, daycare providers, and community organizations. We at DCCT provide this confidence and peace of mind to caretakers, parents, and teachers.
