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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 10, 2008 - 17 Mom hopes to beat diabetes for her daughter By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Almost two years ago, Cristin Walsh rushed her 13-month-old daughter to Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH), and heard, what she describes to be the most devastating news of her life: Elianna has type 1 diabetes. A lot has changed in the Walsh family's life since that September day. Last year, Elianna only needed two injections a day. This year she needs five. But even with an increase in injections, a new year also marks a growing sense of hope for a cure in the hearts of Walsh, and many others who suffer or know someone who suffers from diabetes. It is that sense of hope that keeps Walsh calm when little children tell her that two-and-a-half-year-old Elianna is diabetic because she eats a lot of sugar, or that she's going to die. "It hurts sometimes when you hear little children make comments like, Elianna is going to die because the word diabetes has the word die in it," said Walsh. "But I don't blame the kids, there's a lot about the disease that people don't know, a lot that I didn't know before Elianna was diagnosed with it." Nonetheless, Walsh believes that the public is becoming more aware about type 1 diabetes. According to Walsh, the more people know, the bigger the hope, and the greater the chances for a cure in Elianna's lifetime. In order to improve the possibility that one day "Elianna would look [her mother] in the eyes and say I used to have diabetes," Walsh is, once again, holding two major fundraising events to raise money and increase awareness Elianna's diagnosis. Rather, the diagnosis also made Walsh more aware of the food choices that she has to make. "You have to learn everything about food, you have to read the labels and figure out the nutrients and sugars inside, and then you have to decide whether it's healthy or not. I hardly used to look at the labels before." And with her phobia of needles a memory of the past, Walsh, who threw up the first time she had to give one, is now back at school in hopes of becoming a nurse one day. "Elianna's diagnosis taught me a lot, it's difficult not to learn from someone who's so young and yet has to suffer through so much," she said. For information contact Walsh at 905-842-1807 or cure4elianna@gmail.com. KNEE, HEEL & ARCH PAIN ARE TREATABLE! SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Cristin Walsh and her daughter Eliana about the disease. The first is a Texas Hold'em Poker Fundraiser and silent auction, held tonight, Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall. On Saturday, May 31, Walsh is also having a neighborhood garage sale at 1208 Garthdale Court. Last year, Walsh raised $1,100 on the garage sale alone. This year she aims to raise $8,000 from both events. "The community has been incredible. I've had people dropping of boxes at my house for the sale, I've been getting phone calls from strangers, who want tickets for the poker and silent auction," said Walsh. Last year, mostly family members and close friends went to the poker fundraiser; this year people from all over Oakville are planning to attend, she said. Walsh decided to fight her daughter's disease through awareness and fundraising initiatives, after seeing the Juvenile Diabetes research foundation webpage. "After Elianna's diagnosis I went straight to the Internet to look up the disease ... I came across the Juvenile Diabetes page, and I saw all the great things that people are doing, and that's when I knew I wanted to get involved too," she said. "I want Elianna to know that I've always tried to help her and that I'll always try." Walsh's initiatives for a cure are not the only things that were sparked by Understanding the source of your foot and knee pain could lead to permanent relief. Book a consultation today! SALIMA KASSAM REG. CHIROPODIST NEW LOCATION Free Parking in front of office We Treat: · Diabetic Foot Care · General Care · Custom Made Foot Orthotics P Covered by most insurance companies. 728 Burloak Drive 905-632-1414 THE PERFECT GIFT FOR ANY WOMAN Introductory SPA PACKAGE $ 60* A Sampler of our Spa Facial, Pedicure, Manicure & Back Massage *Just for New Clients FREE CONSULTATION Light Lifting Therapy Get a face lift without surgery. Call today! Light Lifting Therapy and Microdermabrasion Treatment Purchase 6 or more - pay only $125 each Located In Euphoria Hair Studio Treatments $150 each 2307 Lakeshore Rd. W. Oakville 905-465-0068