Students raise funds for JDRF
Posted Nov 27, 2009 By Sarah Kelford
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Last year, Richmond resident Emma Streatch was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes.
Her best friend Hannah Hempinstall decided that she could not sit back and watch her friend struggle with the disease alone - so she organized a fundraiser at school to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
On Thursday, Nov. 19, the girls returned to Richmond Public School for the second annual Dance for Diabetes.
The girls, both 11 years-old, are currently in the sixth grade at Goulbourn Middle School, but returned to Richmond Public School to maintain the message of hope and perseverance.
"I was really sick and worried that I wasn't going to be okay," said Streatch about being diagnosed with Diabetes at such a young age. "I'm feeling a lot better now."
The girls supplied each student at Richmond Public School with a pledge sheet, with all the funds raised going toward the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
"I really felt I wasn't doing enough," said Hempinstall, adding that it was hard to see her best friend sick.
Students spent their physical education classes participating in the Dance for Diabetes. Hempinstall and Streatch danced from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., motivating the other students and leading them through the songs like the Macarena, Locomotion, Hokey Pokey, Chicken Dance, and everyone's favourite - the Ghostbuster's theme song.
Every class took part and was welcomed, thanked and told to "dance your pants off."
Hempinstall is certain that they will raise enough money to find a cure and has promised to continue hosting the Dance for Diabetes until they do.
"Right now, they are really close to making a pancreas," explained Hempinstall with a maturity and assertion far beyond her years.
Last year's event brought in $2,854.14 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. So far, this year's total is $2,671.50, but organizers pointed out that pledges tend to trickle in even a week after the event.
"I felt really happy that she wanted to help," said Streatch about her best friend's idea to have a school-wide dance.
"Dance is one of my favourite things to do," said Hempinstall, explaining that the decision to host a dance was easy.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation donated bracelets, snacks and prizes for the students who raised money for the event.
The girls plan to host a Dance for Diabetes at Goulbourn Middle School in the new year.
Diabetes champion
World Diabetes Day was Nov. 14, and to mark the day, the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and sponsor Novo Nordisk Canada marked the day by honouring Diabetes champions.
Champions are people living with Diabetes, friends, family, researchers, educators, advocates, role models and mentors - to name a few.
Richmond resident, 11 year-old Hempinstall was recognized as a 2009 Diabetes champion for the dedication, compassion and support she has given to her friend Streatch and the annual event Dance for Diabetes.
Hempinstall's mom, Nancy, wrote about her story, which is now featured online (www.worlddiabetes.ca) with other champion's stories.
"My daughter's best friend, Emma, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in August 2008. They have been "besties" since the day they met in Kindergarten. Although Hannah was as supportive and involved as any 10 year-old could be, she felt as though she needed to do something tangible to help her most loved friend in the world. She came up with the idea to organize a fundraiser to help find a cure. With a little help from me she approached the school administration and parent council and organized "Dance for Diabetes." Each class gathered pledges and used their gym class to dance. In total this small school raised over $2,800 and every penny was donated to JDRF. When Hannah was elected class president, one of her campaign promises was to make Dance for Diabetes an annual event. Before she graduated from grade 5 she had secured a promise from her principal that she could return every year to host this event. Over the summer of 2009, my daughter organized "Hannah's Great Garage Sale" where she sold her old bicycle, toys, books and clothing. She raised $350, which she has saved as her own pledge towards this year's fundraiser. She (hosted) the second annual Dance for Diabetes on Thursday, Nov. 19 at Richmond Public School and hopes to plan a second event at her new school. Her efforts aren't only monetary. She calculates carbs, reads labels and will always make sure we have the right food in the house for Emma when she comes for a sleepover or for dinner. She's educated her friends and her parents! I am so proud of Hannah's compassion and commitment. She is so sincere in her efforts and truly believes that somehow she will be a part of finding a cure for Emma.
She is motivated to action purely by the love she feels for Emma."
