Austin's "Beat the 'Betes" Walk Team

My team is walking to END Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) once & for all. 

I formed this team to bring people together who want to do some good in the world. The JDRF One Walk is an event designed to benefit the almost 2 million Americans presently living with T1D by raising awareness & money for diabetes research. This year’s walk is on March 17th, 2024 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena & I am inviting YOU to be part of my team! You don’t need to be local to LA to join- you can simply walk your way at your place on your own time. All you need to do is sign up to JOIN my team & set your own fundraising goal. You can walk 1 mile or as many as you want- on your own or with family & friends. As a team, our fundraising goal is $3,800 because it’s been 38 years since I was diagnosed in 1985. So, $100 for every year I've lived with T1D. 

As you may already know, I was diagnosed with T1D just before my 9th birthday, when my father owned a candy store! I’ve never looked at diabetes as something that would get in the way of me pursuing my dreams. As a professional actor, I am fulfilling those dreams. But another dream of mine is helping to find a cure for this chronic, invisible illness.

Having T1D means my body doesn't produce insulin- a hormone essential in turning food into energy. This auto-immune disease is a constant struggle that involves monitoring blood-sugar levels, administering insulin & carefully balancing those insulin doses with eating & activity- just to stay alive. Currently, there is no way to prevent T1D & there is NO cure... yet! But a new FDA approved therapy called Tzield has yielded a way to stave off the onset of T1D for up to 2 years! Funding research like this is what the One Walk is all about.

My wellbeing as someone living with T1D has been the result of a vast support-system. The JDRF is an extremely important part of that team. The leaps & strides in diabetes research sponsored by the JDRF have been mind-blowing. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. People with diabetes everywhere are healthier today because of the advancements & innovations made by 50+ years of dedication, research & investment by the JDRF. And that’s where fundraising events like this WALK come into play. The money raised will go to the next generation of advancements, and hopefully soon: a CURE.

I hope that one day every child or person diagnosed with this incurable disease won't have to deal with the struggles & persistent worry that my family & I have had to deal with 24 hours a day since I was eight. My goal as an ambassador & advocate is to show kids with T1D that anything is possible. NOTHING should prevent them from achieving ANYTHING & EVERYTHING they put their minds to. If they want to be a professional athlete, a surgeon, a singer or even an actor, they should be able to do that & not have to worry about their health. I also believe that "EVERYTHING happens for the BEST" and I look at being diagnosed with diabetes as a GIFT. Type 1 Diabetes gave me my first big obstacle to overcome, and managing it has given me the skills, structure & motivation to succeed at anything & everything I put my mind to. I wouldn't be the actor, the husband, the man that I am today without the lessons in personal responsibility I've learned from living with diabetes.

Your participation, fundraising or donation will not only change lives for people & kids living with T1D, but it will change your own life, too. The inspiration from this community will stick with you & the pride from your contribution will last a lifetime. 

So, JOIN my team & virtually walk with me! Or make a donation to help turn Type One into Type NONE!

Thank you for your support. 

AUSTIN’s “Beat the ‘Betes” Walk Team