BATESVILLE, Ind. – A Batesville third grader has been selected as a youth ambassador of the Southwest Ohio Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Trey Stauffer, 9, has recently had to make some adjustments in daily life after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
“I don’t like not being able to grab a snack that isn’t carb free. I do like to have candy when I’m low but I don’t like feeling low,” Stauffer said.
“I miss being able to just eat without thinking about how many carbohydrates are in food; but I know that it’s just an extra step and doesn’t mean that I had to change anything else about my life.”
Stauffer enjoys spending free time with his two twin siblings, along with building lego’s, reading and Taekwondo.
As part of the Youth Ambassador Program, he will participate in outreach events providing health education throughout the community to raise support and awareness of type 1 diabetes.
When asked what he would tell fellow Batesville Intermediate School students about the program, Trey replied, “I would tell them if they want to be one they can. It is really fun and it is a chance that you can meet all sorts of people!”
The rate of type 1 diabetes incidence among children under age 14 is estimated to increase by three percent annually worldwide, according to JDRF.
The organization is focused on type 1 diabetes research and is its largest charitable supporter. Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.6 billion to diabetes research.
JDRF Development Coordinator Becky Gaible commented, “Trey’s positive outlook and over 20 hours of community outreach service makes JDRF proud to name him as one of the 18 children chosen to be a Youth Ambassador.”
