Not surprisingly, I'm having trouble getting to sleep.
I write with a heavy heart as the Australian Type 1 Diabetes community mourns the loss of a beautiful young life.
On the morning of Tuesday 8 November, 17 year old Sydney schoolgirl and member of the Australian Girls Choir, Daniella ("Danii") Meads-Barlow passed away in her sleep.
Daniella's parents, Donna and Brian, are very active members of the Type 1 Diabetes community in Sydney and were heavily involved in fundraising for the JDRF and the Australian Diabetes Council. Indeed, they hosted a fundraising barbecue only last weekend.
Following is a post about Daniella's passing on the DBT Corporate Travel, Donna's travel agency, Facebook page:
DBT- Corporate Travel
Donna Meads-Barlow was a finalist for the 2008 Telstra Business Women's Award and her travel agency, DBT Corporate Travel, is widely applauded for providing support and assistance to people with Type 1 Diabetes and their families with respect to travel arrangements:
"The Directors and Staff of DBT have committed themselves both financially and resourcefully to one of Australia's most respected charitable institutions. Diabetes Australia (NSW, WA and Victoria).We hope that anything we can offer, or can do for travellers dealing with diabetes is of benefit to you and your family." - From the DBT Travel website.
This is a Blog Post written by one of Daniella's school friends:
A few days ago we were all talking about the controversial advertisement published by the JDRF in the New York Times and Washington post...
1 in 20...
The loss of Daniella is one too many.
I was really hoping that the month of November, Diabetes Awareness Month, would pass without a single Blue Candle being lit.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of this precious angel.
It is so tragic. My heart has been heavy since hearing the news earlier today. So much can change in the blink of an eye.
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