Callie McArthur made headlines last year when she got tattoos celebrating her love for Portage la Prairie as part of a fundraiser for Central Plains Cancer Services. In that campaign, she raised more than $7,000.

Callie is at it again.

November is Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Month and she said if she could raise $2,000, she would colour her hair blue. She surpassed the goal, reaching $2.6k in just over three weeks.

"My little nephew, Jake, he's four years old. He was diagnosed last June with type 1 diabetes," says McArthur. "He's very sick. He actually just got an insulin pump though, which is awesome. He was going from about 8 to 10 needles a day -- his parents would call him and he calls himself a brave boy -- to just probably about 3 to 4 for finger pokes."

 

 

 

 

She says

Jake picking out his toy!she wanted to raise awareness for the cause and this was one way to keep the conversation going. She says Maureen McEachern and her staff at Westward Hair Affair donated the costs of the colouring to the cause, and Michelle Lee volunteered her time to complete the job. Michelle says she has a family history with diabetes, with many relatives having Type 1 or Type 2, so this project really hits home for her.

McArthur says she wanted to do something for Jake, and this was a fun way to do it.

"He's an incredible kid and he wants to make sure that everybody understands what type one diabetes is and how they can help stop it, and how it doesn't stop you. Though Jake plays hockey, Jake loves Lego. Jake is the happiest little boy you'll ever see and probably the strongest kid that I know."

McArthur says Jake is also very generous. When he learned Allan Dillabough of Canadian Tire was dealing with Type 2 Diabetes, Jake would check in and make sure Allan remembered to check his sugars. Jake and his Gran also made Allan some goodies that would be safe for him to eat. Allan told Jake he could pick any toy in the store he wanted, if he kept his own sugars in check. Jake chose a recycling truck toy as he hopes to be able to work with them in the future. (Portage District Recycling let Jake ride in one of their trucks on a previous birthday.)

McArthur says that's the kind of kid Jake is, noting his positivity is infectious. She says his attitude keeps her going and keeps his family going.

"My hair might fade, but my hope for a cure, won't."

You can read about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund here.