Tony Smith MP
Suite 1, 16-18 Croydon Road, Croydon
Ph: 9724 9222
Fax: 9724 9220
email: Tony.Smith.MP@aph.gov.au

Since my election to Parliament, I have joined with many others as a supporter of the vital work done by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. And whilst the JDRF is an Australia-wide organisation body, supporting many thousands of Australian children and their families right across the country, I am strongly reminded of the real impact diabetes has in our community on the occasions I visit local schools and sporting clubs right here in Melbourne’s outer-east.

I am reminded of this fact because of the hard work undertaken by a strong network of young sufferers of diabetes and their parents who live, study and work here in our community. Far from managing the disease behind closed doors, the committed families who make up the base of the JDRF passionately advocate to their teachers, friends, Members of Parliament and community leaders the work done by the Foundation and those who serve as as Youth Ambassadors, JDRF ‘Advocates’ or as fundraiser for the worthy research that they oversee.

Most recently, I had the real pleasure of meeting Talitha Kooy, a grade 6 student from Lilydale West Primary School, who has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Despite the new challenges Talitha faces in managing her condition, she is upbeat and positive about how she can help others facing similar challenges

For example, Talitha is participating in this year’s Walk to Cure Diabetes, organised by the JDRF. The event raises money to fund the essential research into finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

It is a sobering fact that Type 1 Diabetes affects over 140,000 Australians, where every day, five more Australians are diagnosed with the disease. These include people right next door to us, or down the road.

I am supporting Talitha in her efforts to raise money to help find a cure for Diabetes. Just as importantly, I am continuing my support of the JDRF in their many programmes of education, research and support they give to those Australians with Diabetes, particularly school children who have recently been diagnosed.

To show your support for Talitha, please visit www.tonysmithmp.com where you will find details of the Walk to Cure Diabetes and how to donate, or get further information.