Two schools came together for one cause. The cause, to raise awareness and support our students that deal with the chronic, lifelong disease of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). On December 6th, Fairbury Public Schools and Superior Public Schools participated in the Gray Out to raise awareness for the students with T1D during the girls and boys basketball games at Fairbury High School.
This was the 3rd annual Gray Out sponsored by The IN Group and the Fairbury FCCLA. The IN Group, is a type 1 diabetic support group, that works to support families of students with T1D, while raising awareness of the disease, raising money to help the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation find a cure and support kids with camp scholarships.
This was the first Gray Out for Derek Anderson, Assistant Principal/AD for FHS, “I was impressed with the support of individuals and businesses from both communities as we united to find a cure,” he stated. “It was great to see gray shirts filling the gym and a great environment to play basketball games.”
There are currently six students at Fairbury Public Schools and one student at Superior Public School with T1D. They range in age from 3rd grade to 11th grade. One of the students was diagnosed at the age of three.
Between the girls and boys varsity games The IN Group and Superior Public Schools presented checks to Laura Eberly, Development Coordinator for JDRF in Lincoln, to further research to hopefully one day find a cure.
“We are grateful for the community of Fairbury to support such a wonderful cause that hits so close to home,” Eberly said. “With having 6 students living with Type 1 Diabetes, the IN Group has made tremendous achievements in funding T1D research and spreading awareness of the disease.”
The students and their families were overwhelmed with all of the support. Over $2000 were raised through business sponsors, t-shirt sales, 50/50 raffle, and the halftime shoot for a buck games.
Type 1 Diabetes happens when the body destroys its own cells that make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that everyone needs in order to get energy from the food they eat. Our bodies need insulin to survive.
T1D usually starts in childhood; however, adults can get it too. No one knows what causes T1D to happen or how to prevent it from happening.
Insulin is NOT a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. It is the person’s life support.
