Local Young Woman Races to Raise Funds for Type 1 Diabetes

WESTHAMPTON, NY — Meigan Yuen, a young woman who believes in helping others, is shining her light of caring on a new cause, raising funds for Type 1 diabetes.

Yuen, who studies pharmacology at Regis University in Denver, spent years giving back while growing up in the Westhampton Beach area.

Recently, she rode in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure to raise funds for Type 1 diabetes.

Her race was motivated by one special little girl, Adelyn, 8, the daughter of the man she is dating.

"I have three little kiddos in my life now," she said, while fundraising before the race. "They are my world and I love them so much. With that being said, I doubt most of you know that Adelyn was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of four. I am riding in the Tour de Cure this year to support her and all of those suffering from this disease. Please donate anything you can."

So far, her team has raised more than $28,000, Yuen said, coming in second so far.

"Adelyn is what motivated me to do it," Yuen said. "She has opened my eyes to how beautiful children can be. Even with a disease that limits what she can eat, especially at parties and events, she never stops smiling. She is always positive and full of energy. She has become part of my heart and I don't know what life would be life without her."

Yuen said she came into Adelyn's life having basic knowledge of the disease, from school, but living with her has truly opened her eyes.

"I am able to apply the knowledge I've learned and learn new things every day. We eat healthier because of her and stay active. I can't say living with a child with diabetes is much different than one without. She is still capable of doing activities and having fun. She is such a bright child and her smile is contagious."

Adelyn's father, Joey Wisner, added that his daughter's health is what motivated him to participate in the Tour de Cure.

"It's about trying to find a cure for her. Trying to find a solution that will make her life easier and something that will improve her quality of life," he said. "Life is difficult living with a child with diabetes. The disease gives me constant stress and worry, especially when she is away from me at school or at night when she is sleeping."

Since his daughter was diagnosed four years ago, Wisner said, "I haven't slept through the night, between the worry and middle night blood sugar checks. It's 2 a.m. wrestling matches with a child who is dead asleep and has low blood sugar and you're trying to get her to eat a glucose tab to bring her blood sugar up."

As a parent, watching your child grapple with Type 1 isn't easy, he said.

"This disease has given many nights of my daughter going to bed crying about why she can't go to sleep overs, because nobody knows how to provide care for her. It's given many tears as to why she can't just eat that cake or bowl of ice cream. It's a disease that turn being sick into a three or four night hospital stay."

But the disease has also brought some positive, he said.

"It's taught me how to eat healthier. How to read a nutrition label. I've learned about the different carbohydrates and how they react different with the body."

No matter what, the love they share for one precious little girl bonds the pair in their fight for a cure.

"As hard as it can be sometimes, having to wake up in the middle of the night to check her, I wouldn't trade it for anything," Yuen said.

To donate, until October 24, click here.