Peterborough Girl With Type 1 Diabetes Selected To Attend Kids For A Cure Lobby Day On Parliament Hill

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Peterborough's Matt Stimpson and his daughter Tilly, 8, both have Type 1 diabetes. Tilly has been living with it for 6 years, Matt for 12 years.

Matt and Tilly, along with her mother Jo, have been advocating for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) since Tilly was diagnosed at the age of two and a half. Since 2011, the Stimpson family has raised more than $20,000 for JDRF with the support of the amazing community in Peterborough.

Tilly and Matt (Photo by Erin Campbell Photography)

Now, in a tremendous honour, Tilly is one of 25 children from across Canada who has been selected to attend Kids for a Cure Lobby day at Parliament Hill in November. During the two days there, she will be meeting with Members of Parliament and Senators to show them the face of diabetes and ask them to invest in clinical trials to help find a cure.

Tilly and Jo pictured in 2014

Tilly is fundraising to take as much funds as she can to Parliament with her on November 21st and 22nd for diabetes research and to make a difference for those living with Type 1 diabetes. Her goal is $500 but she would love to raise much more than that. Give what you can here.

"I think this is an incredible opportunity for her," Tilly's mom Jo tells PTBOCanada. "Advocating is so important, not only to educate people about the disease that is so misunderstood but also feeling that you are making a difference. It will be great for her to meet other children with Type 1 diabetes and be part of the discussions with key people at Parliament about why it’s important to find a cure. I’m extremely proud of her strength and courage. She’s determined everyday not to let diabetes get in the way of her goals and dreams. As a parent and a wife of someone with diabetes, it can be heartbreaking to watch their everyday struggles. I’m hopeful for a cure, as is she."

Donate here to help Tilly's fundraising campaign and spread the word on your social media channels!

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