From Observer & Eccentric Newspapers

Team Jenna, a group of 25 devoted family and friends, will again walk this weekend to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“We have raised $75,000,” said the proud Jenna Linden.

The devoted group has raised that amount during the last six years.

When Jenna was 5 years old and about to enter kindergarten, she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Further complicating a difficult, lifelong disease, she also was diagnosed nine months later with celiac disease which is a gluten allergy. Basically, Jenna is a diabetic who needs to eat carbs, but can’t.

“It’s difficult,” Jenna said.

She needs to test her blood sugar before and after meals which equates to six pokes daily.

Michelle Linden, her mother, admits that fighting diabetes is a “numbers game” and requires constant monitoring.

With her daughter’s celiac disease, the family has devoted half their kitchen to Jenna’s health constraints in order to not cross contaminate food and food products in any way.

“She has her own toaster, etc.,” Michelle said.

Every day, Jenna inspires neighbor Jamie Chapman for her perseverance and dedication to helping find a cure for diabetes. When Jenna decided she wanted to participate in the Breakthrough T1D Walk to Cure Diabetes seven years ago, Jamie became her team captain.

Together, they have helped raise almost $75,000 to help fund research for a cure.

According to Michelle Linden, Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile-onset or insulin- dependent diabetes, accounts for 5-10 percent of all people with diabetes

“In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys the cells that release insulin, eventually eliminating insulin production from the body. Without insulin, cells cannot absorb sugar, glucose, which they need to produce energy,” Michelle Linden said.

Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, can develop at any age, but most commonly becomes apparent during adulthood, she said.

“But the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in children is rising,” she added. “Type 2 diabetes accounts for the vast majority of people with diabetes — 90 percent to 95 percent. In contrast to Type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance is the main characteristic of Type 2 diabetes.”

Insulin resistance refers to the body’s inability to respond properly to insulin. Resistance develops because of many factors, including genetics, obesity, increasing age and having high blood sugar for a long time, she said.

On Sunday, Sept. 23, Jamie, Jenna and her family will take part in the Breakthrough T1D Walk To Cure Diabetes, along with 7,500 others who are raising funds to support research for a cure. The Walk To Cure Diabetes events take place at the GM Tech Center in metro Detroit and Hudson Mills Metropark near Ann Arbor.

The Breakthrough T1D estimates more than 7,500 southeast Michigan walkers will raise $1.65 million to help fund research for prevention, treatment and/or a cure for T1D and its complications.

“Each day, people with type 1 diabetes must overcome the constant challenges of the disease, monitoring blood sugar levels and taking the proper dosages of insulin,” said Kate Durak, executive director for Breakthrough T1D Metro Detroit, Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio Chapter. “Just as they must be committed to their health, we are devoted to funding the research that could offer them better treatments or develop a cure. The Walk To Cure Diabetes is an important way we support one another emotionally and financially.”

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m., rain or shine, and concludes at 11:30 a.m.

Walkers can register at walk.jdrf.org. There is no registration fee to participate, but participants are encouraged to raise pledges.

Walkers raising $100 or more will receive a Breakthrough T1D Walk T-shirt the day of the event. Walkers raising $200 or more are eligible for prizes ranging from Breakthrough T1D branded merchandise to electronics, toys and housewares.