Community
18 March, 2025
Evie’s striding for diabetes
EVIE Taylor, 9, walked into Cairns Hospital last Easter with a suspected stomach bug and left with a diabetes diagnosis.
Now she’s advocating for diabetes patients, even organising a OneWalk in Cairns to fundraise for a cure next weekend.
On Sunday, March 23, Miss Taylor, with the support of her mum Penny Taylor and her family, is organising the JDRF OneWalk from the Funship Playground on the esplanade from 8.30am to fundraise for diabetes research to find a cure and are aiming to raise $6000.
It has been a challenging year for the Brinsmead resident after an unexpected diagnosis of type 1 diabetes but it has not slowed her down. Instead she turned her experience into a journalistic report called ‘Diseases and broken bones – a trip to Cairns Hospital’ that earned her a junior eisteddfod award and next Sunday, along with dozens of Cairns residents, she’s walking to fundraise for a cure.
“Just after Easter last year it looked like Evie had a tummy bug,” said Mrs Taylor.
“She was vomiting, and then she got really lethargic, I couldn't wake her up and she started slurring her words. At that point, I took her into hospital, and she was diagnosed on the spot.
“Evie spent two days and two nights in the ICU and five days in the children’s ward learning about injections and what would be her new normal and about two months later she got an insulin pump.”
Miss Taylor said it brought her joy to bring awareness and support others living with type 1 diabetes.
To participate or donate, visit https://bit.ly/4buaKzU
