Sigurbjorg Stefansson Early School’s Team Asher raises over $1,300 for diabetes research
Sigurbjorg Stefansson Early School in Gimli raised over $1,300 a few weeks ago during its 5th Annual Dimes for Diabetes Walk.
SSES student Asher Johnson is the school’s “superhero” and the impetus behind the effort to raise money to find a cure for type 1 diabetes, said teacher Lisa Michaluk. Asher was diagnosed with type 1 around his first birthday. At the end of Grade 3, he got a new insulin pump and now monitors his glucose levels using an app via a continuous glucose monitor.
SSES students, who call themselves Team Asher, raised $1,316.70 this year during their walk on May 28. They got plenty of support from middle years and high school students, families and the wider community.
“We are so incredibly grateful for the support throughout the five years and can’t wait to be involved in future Team Asher walks as he moves to the Dr. George Johnson Middle School this fall,” said Michaluk. “This year, the Grade 5s and 6s joined in the sea of blue – Team Asher’s colour – for the walk. Students from GHS [Gimli High School] met us with high fives and cheers as we finished the final part of our 3.5-kilometre walk. Popsicles and watermelon provided by our PAC [parent advisory committee] were a welcome treat on a warm spring morning.”
SSES families alone have raised more than $8,000 over the past five years of the fundraiser, whose proceeds go to national organization Breakthrough T1D [type 1 diabetes], which was formerly called the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The money helps support research and clinical trials, policy changes and improvement to the lives and care of people living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Michaluk said Asher and his friends planned and organized the school’s kick-off assembly, along with her and two of his other teachers, Leanne Mager and Tara Sveinson.
“His friends have been part of the planning process right from the very first walk. We are so incredibly proud of them and grateful that Asher is surrounded by caring and supportive friends,” said Michaluk. “Along with his family, Asher and his friends led the walk behind the Evergreen School Division’s mini bus driven by Pat Murphy and organized by Mark Patrick.”
