A Geelong-based charity’s woolly-headed quest for diabetes awareness has raised $30,000 to support hundreds of families, according to organisers.
Type 1 Foundation founder and Belmont mum-of-four Ange Liston-Mccaughley was thrilled to have sold 1500 beanies since July in time for World Diabetes Day yesterday.
“We weren’t sure if people were done with beanies but everybody got behind it,” Ange said.
“The foundation has just gone absolutely bonkers.”
Ange has been raising diabetes awareness and funds to support people with the disease since her daughter Lila’s misdiagnosis in 2013.
Doctors had believed the then-lethargic girl had a stomach virus, anxiety or other condition before the family went on a Gold Coast holiday.
“(During the holiday) she was just lying on the banana lounge all day sleeping,” Ange said.
“I remember saying, ‘that’s not normal for a nine-year-old.’ I had that motherly instinct that something was terribly wrong.”
Lila’s conditioned worsened and paramedics rushed her to Gold Coast University Hospital, where doctors said she had been an hour from going into a coma.
“A single finger prick at her first appointment might have detected (diabetes) earlier,” Ange said.
About 43 per cent of children with diabetes were initially misdiagnosed, she added.
Type 1 Foundation hosts family camps and events across Victoria, funds education programs and sends hundreds of care packages to families with newly-diagnosed kids.
The charity also provides access to lifesaving technology. Ange has run 12 marathons to raise more money but now says she has “officially retired from that”.
For more information visit www.type1foundation.com.au.
