Richmond Heights Family Supports Son After Diabetes Diagnosis

Kim Gellman is a longtime resident whose son, Cameron, was diagnosed with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes last year. On Oct. 7, she and her family will participate in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes in Forest Park. She shared the following article about her family's experience with the diagnosis.

This is our first year to be involved with the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes and we are very excited to be a part of raising funds for research to find a cure for TID (type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes) – for Cameron and everyone else.   Cameron was diagnosed in December of last year at the age of 13.

The diagnosis is overwhelming and scary. Both JDRF and St. Louis Children's Hospital have been a source of information, guidance and support.

A few days after Cameron was diagnosed and still in the hospital, he said to me, "I want to get involved with JDRF and eventually speak to kids about how this disease does not have to change their life in a negative way and how they can manage it with a  positive attitude and a good outlook.”

Cameron inspires our family every day.  We were healthy eaters before his diagnosis but now we have a diet of lean protein, organic vegetables and fruits. And we’re walking to get in shape for the Walk to Cure Diabetes on Sunday - October 7th in Forest Park.

This summer our hero (Cameron) is going to LA for a month of acting and film study. He is creative young man who loves people and taking on new challenges, T1D included.  I know he will continue to be a champion for JDRF.

We reached out to our family and friends and now have a Gellman family Walk team of 20 people – and the team is growing every day. Our T-shirt is in the design phase and we are using emails, Facebook and Twitter to inspire everyone. So far we have raised $600 but our goal is $2,000   We are thrilled to be a part of JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes this year.