Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Luke, who was born and raised in Erindale, had to take several shots of the hormone each day to make sure his body's energy needs are met.
Without it, he could die.
But while insulin is a way of managing Type 1 diabetes, there is no cure for the type of disease that affects more than 200,000 Canadians.
That's why some 2,000 employees from the financial, real estate and health sector in Peel took time off from their busy schedules yesterday to help raise money for a cure.
The fifth Ride for Diabetes Research, organized by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), happened at RBC Towers in Meadowvale. The high-energy event saw teams of five riders in costume take turns in a relay every eight minutes over 40 minutes on stationery bikes.
The idea was to see which team had the most spirit, most noise — and more importantly — raised the most money for Type 1 diabetes research.
Shelagh Barry, regional manager of JDRF's South Central Fundraising and Development, said they hope to raise $450,000 this year, up from $405,000 last year.
Luke's father, Ken Little, thinks such events make finding a cure a little closer.
"Luke had to face his mortality at a young age that no child should ever face," said the owner of the Lucy's Seafood Kitchen chain. "But he doesn't let it stop him from doing anything. He plays hockey and he's active, which is actually good when you have Type 1 diabetes."
Luke, who is now 12, said managing his blood sugar levels and calculating how many carbohydrates he eats can be hard at times. But it was necessary, he says, to determine how much insulin is pumped into his body.
"If insulation is too low, you can go into a coma," said Luke, who wears an insulation pump 24 hours a day.
Judy Nayduk's 14-year-old grand daughter shares the same experiences.
Like Luke, the Erindale resident's granddaughter, Nicole Woods, wears an insulin pump and has to test her blood sugar levels 6-8 times a day.
Nayduk rode on a team of RE/MAX Realty Specialists to do what she could to help her granddaughter and the cause.
"When you've had an experience with a child who has Type 1 diabetes, your life has basically changed," said Nayduk who, together with a team of 25 RE/MAX employees, raised $5,000. "Hopefully we'll find a cure. It may not be in my lifetime, but hopefully in my granddaughter's lifetime."
There are 14 JDRF rides across Canada, including upcoming events in York Region, Waterloo, London and Hamilton. The nationwide event expects to raise more than $5.6 million across Canada.
jle@mississauga.net
