"Well it finally happened - going blind - too much blood sugar cut the vessels in my eyes and now they are leaking, taking away my sight and my hope of looking after my dad. I feel empty, and really angry with my pathetic body. I can't fight this thing, am just too weak?"

This note came to me from a young Cambodian called Dorm Kok, who faces immense challenges just to get through each day. He has been battling Type 1 diabetes for more than 10 years and is now nearly blind due to his condition. Despite these hardships, he dreams of becoming a tailor to support himself and his 80-year-old father. Tragically, Dorm's life has been marked by loss and struggle. His mother passed away when he was just three, and he lost a sibling in a construction accident. Dorm now cares for his aging father alone.

Due to his diabetes, Dorm Kok's education was cut short aged 8. His health issues have worsened over the years, affecting his ability to work and even perform daily tasks like catching fish for food. He receives only $15 a month from a government scheme for the poor, barely enough to buy rice, let alone cover the costs of essential medication. Chan Sarin, our A4D Cambodian Coordinator, spoke recently with him when Dorm expressed his deep despair. He feels he can't continue living like this, unable to provide for himself or his father.

But there's hope: with eye treatment and training in tailoring, Dorm Kok can transform his life and secure a future for himself and his father. Both of Dorm's eyes are blurry, although one side is worse than the other. The cost for the surgery on his retinas works out at U$3,500 for each eye.

To support Dorm Kok, for my 2024 JIC (Jerry's Insulin Challenge) on 19th August, I want to attempt Les 7 Majeures - a legendary cycle challenge that climbs the 7 highest cols in the Southern Alps all within 24 hours. 360km in distance and 12,000m. elevation, on remote, often badly-surfaced roads, alone and unsupported. When researching Dorm's situation it suddenly hit me. 7 monstrous alpine cols to raise 7 thousand dollars to prevent this horrible condition from spreading, enable him to become a tailor and provide for his father. It will be my toughest challenge to date; by the end I will be so stiff I will be lucky to walk let alone cycle. But it's nothing compared with what Dorm has to wake up to each day.

If you want to help Dorm Kok see a brighter future, and get the medical treatment he needs, please support me. Please also share Dorm Kok’s story. Together, we can change two lives and make a lasting impact.

THANK YOU!

Action4Diabetes (A4D) is a UK-registered charity giving health and hope to disadvantaged young people living with Type 1 Diabetes in South-East Asia by ensuring free access to life-saving medication and support from an empowered T1D community.

We are the only NGO dedicated to tracking, documenting and improving the health outcomes of disadvantaged young people living with T1D in SEA. Unlike other NGOs, we offer ongoing T1D healthcare to those we support.