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Thank you for supporting Sofia’s Magical Reindeer Food Fundraiser 2024 - she has enjoyed making every bag of food, and hope you enjoy spreading the Christmas magic. Sofia would like to continue her fundraising efforts into 2025, so watch this space!😊 Merry Christmas all 🎄💫

Sofia (5), was diagnosed age 2.5 years with Type One Diabetes, this Christmas she is raising awareness of her Type One Diabetes, an incurable chronic autoimmune condition, and hoping to raise a little bit of money too for a charity close to her heart❤️🎄🎅🏼

💙💙Breakthrough T1D💙💙 (Formerly JDRF)

Sofia’s own words: “It is hard to have type one diabetes but I get on with it. You have to settle into it. Every day you have to get on happy.”💐💝🎀🍬🧞‍♀️💜

To raise funds Sofia is selling bags of:

** Magical Reindeer Food for a small donation**

Made from a wildlife (bird) friendly recipe, spread a little Christmas magic, joy and generosity, whilst helping the reindeer find their way on Christmas Eve…🎄🎅🏼☃️

Sofia has paid from her own money the expense of making the bags, so that more of the money you donate goes to Breakthrough T1D - a charity that is uniquely dedicated to type one diabetes and the people that live with it. Please note, JustGiving will deduct a payment processing cost on each donation of 1.9% + 30p.

Please read on for some more information on Sofia’s experience of living with Type One and more information about the condition…

Sofia is now 2.5 years on from her Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis and she is doing really well. She is so resilient and so strong. Through every finger prick blood test, injection, cannula change, middle of the night hypoglycaemia, she puts on a brave face and takes it all in her stride.

The technology she has access to is incredible, and does an amazing job of keeping our little girl safe.

Those living with Type One and those that care about them, work hard each day, injecting synthetic insulin to stay alive.

Without research Sofia wouldn’t be able to live a life as close as possible to that of her peers, and manage her diabetes so well.

**What is Type 1 Diabetes?**

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease. This means that it doesn’t go away and cannot be cured! Unlike Type 2 which is caused by genetic factors, diet and weight.

Type 1 cannot be prevented or cured, there is no known cause for T1D but there is suggestions that it could be triggered as a result of viral illness.

Anyone can be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at any age, though it usually is diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.

The 4 key signs of T1D are:

Toilet - increased urine output, peeing more often

Thirst - increased intake of fluids, can’t quench thirst

Thinner - unintentional weight loss

Tired - fatigue, feeling tired even when rested

In Type One Diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is an essential hormone that helps the body turn food into energy.

People living with type 1 diabetes must take insulin by injection or insulin pump to survive.

Living with T1D requires a lot of extra work, but with the right support and information, you can lead a fulfilling, active life.

**Who are Breakthrough T1D?**

Breakthrough T1D is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. As the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organisation, they help make everyday life better while driving toward cures.

They are opening doors that were once closed by T1D diagnosis. Leading the way to more effective solutions by connecting the brightest minds to advance treatments, influence policy, and improve access to care.​ By driving innovation forward, Breakthrough T1D will make type 1 diabetes a condition of the past!

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