At age 2½, one of B.C.’s littlest insulin-dependent diabetics is also one of the biggest fundraisers around for an organization that’s helping find a cure.
Coltan Daniel was just nine months old when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2009.
He nearly died while doctors frantically tried to figure out what was wrong. Fortunately, the staff at BC Children’s Hospital were able to save his life.
Now, it’s up to Coltan’s family to manage his blood sugar levels, inject him with insulin, and manage his diet – every day.
He’s “just a little guy”, mom Meaghan Norton Daniel says, so he requires constant blood checks throughout the day, and even every two to three hours at night. Failing to do so could result in seizures, coma or death – or might bring on long-term complications like blindness, kidney failure and loss of limbs.
The insulin Coltan needs is not a cure, his family says, but life-support. But, they say, thanks to research and technological advances discovered by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), living with Type 1 diabetes is more manageable than it was 10 years ago.
Last year, Team Kisses For Coltan – named for the soothing kisses he receives for the thousands of painful finger-pokes he needs each year - raised $18,000 for the foundation, with Coltan leading the way. Coltan ended up being the top individual fundraiser for 2010.
He was also awarded the top rookie award from the JDRF.
Turns out, Team Coltan was just getting started.
This year, the team’s set a goal of $20,000.
On June 5, they held a movie night at the Clova Cinema in Cloverdale.
The team is holding a cocktail gala evening at Belle’s Restaurant in South Surrey on July 23. Highlights include a photo booth, door prizes, and auction. Items up for bid include a team signed Canucks jersey, Lions football and Whitecaps game packages, a war plane flight for two, a family photography session and much more.
For more information or for tickets, call 604-721-9571 or email kissesforcoltan@shaw.ca.
The rest of the tickets will be sold at the door.
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