From left are Don Maguire, Kinney Drugs Store Manager, (back row)Richard Edward, The Cure-iers Team Member, (back row) Carl Bennett, The Cure-iers Team Member; Ruthanne L'Hommedieu, The Cure-iers Team Member and CHMC Dietitian; Rose Edward, The Cure-iers Team Member/Event Coordinator; Kayla Briggs, The Cure-iers Team Member; Devin Edward, Team Captain of The Cure-iers and a Type 1 Diabetic; Mark Brackett, Kinney Drugs Foundation President; and Todd Wells, Kinney Drugs Supervising Pharmacist.

While many teenagers were relaxing this summer, 16–year-old DeKalb Junction teen Devin Edward has been very busy raising awareness of Type 1 diabetes.

During the course of his work, he has met a Super Bowl winner and an American Idol contestant.

Despite several bouts of diabetic keto-acidosis, a potentially fatal complication of Type 1 diabetes, Devin has been working as an advocate for Type 1 diabetics and proponent of Type 1 diabetes awareness.

This past July, Devin and his family attended the Children with Diabetes Friends for Life Conference in Orlando, Florida. There he was able to re-connect with honorary team member and friend Crystal Bowersox of American Idol fame. The an singer-songwriter and actress was the runner-up on the ninth season of American Idol.

Edward was also able to meet Ironman triathlete Jay Hewitt and two-time Superbowl winner Kendall Simmons, who won Super Bowl XL with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.

A bake sale was held with both sweet and sugar-free baked goods. And a letter writing campaign was conducted for donations to JDRF.

At the St. Lawrence County Fair, Devin met with Oswego County Legislator state Senate candidate Amy Tresidder. Devin also gratefully received donations from family, friends, team members and local businesses such as Hermon Family Health Care, Mort Backus and Sons, Northland Veterinary Hospital, Gamer Craze, and Treasured Antiques. However, The most generous donation of $500 came from Kinney Drugs Foundation President Mark Brackett.

Despite winds whipping the Walkin' for Willz Walk to Cure Diabetes, the team was in attendance on Sept. 8 in Ives Park, Potsdam, raising $1,519. Devin was, for the second year in a row, the highest fundraiser and had the highest fundraising team. The Cure-iers will be working toward other events such as an art auction (art donations still being accepted), planning and implementing a benefit concert with Tyrade, decorating and helping to haunt a haunted house (decorations and costumes needed), starting a JDRF Kids Walk Competition in local schools, a Cure-iers light display for Lights On The River and other events as they are scheduled.

You can be any age and perfectly fit and still develop Type 1 Diabetes. The symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, excessive hunger, frequent urination, weight loss, nausea, dizziness, and mood changes. These symptoms might mean the onset of diabetes.

Treatment requires several blood tests and shots or infusions of insulin every day.

Some of the worst complications of Type 1 diabetes are diabetic keto-acidosis, loss of consciousness, seizures, blindness, kidney failure, brain damage, coma, amputations, heart attack, stroke and death.

Alcohol consumption by Type 1 diabetics lowers blood sugar levels to potentially fatal lows. Often people do not want to seem different from everyone else and may keep their diabetes a secret. If you see someone who has been drinking lose consciousness, call 911. You may be saving a life.

Donations and help are always welcomed.

For further information or to make a donation, contact Rose Edward at https://www.facebook.com/TheCureiers