The kids have a ball...

just a little play on words there...

Yesterday the kids and I headed out to Sydney Olympic Park for our final volunteering shift at the APIA Sydney International tennis tournament.

It was a bit of an early start for one particular child during the holidays - who usually does not surface until around 11am:

He eventually woke up, donned the blue JDRF Volunteer t-shirt and got to work drumming up customers for the Tennis Ball Lucky Dip.

All-in-all we had a great day and the kids were very proud of their efforts to help raise money to search for a Cure for the disease that they live with every single day.

There was one tiny shadow on an otherwise sunny day - an example of ignorance and selfishness that the kids found difficult to believe.

A rather large "senior citizen" came up to the kids at the JDRF lucky dip stand, asked about how it worked and what you would win and then asked, "so who does the money go to?"

Issie said to her, "the money goes to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes."

This woman's response was:

"Well, if it was going to seniors with diabetes then I'd be interested." then shook her head and walked off!

Yes, I'm going to say it - this woman was selfish and insensitive - she wanted the chance to win 2 tickets to the Mens' Final at the Apia Sydney International - but ONLY if the money she paid for her entry went to elderly obese people like herself with Type 2 Diabetes, the majority of whom can could have prevented the onset of Type 2 Diabetes by changing their diet and getting a little exercise!

According to the Garvan Institute, "Obesity is driving a worldwide epidemic in type 2 diabetes."

Whilst I acknowledge that Type 2 Diabetes is, like Type 1, incurable, the majority of cases of Type 2 Diabetes are preventable and to take a direct quote from the information provided by the Garvan Institute:

"Type 2 diabetes is often referred to as a 'lifestyle disease' and is promoted by poor diet, obesity, lack of physical exercise and an 'apple shape' body. This is where extra weight is carried around the waist. There is also increased risk associated with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease."

and

"A healthy lifestyle is your best defence against Type 2 diabetes.

The risk of Type 2 diabetes can be greatly reduced by eliminating the risk factors that cause the disease.

Some risk factors are not modifiable, such as age, sex and genetics. But most risk factors can be modified.

Major modifiable risk factors include:

- overweight and obesity
- physical inactivity
- poor diet
- tobacco smoking"

Okay - that's my sermon over for the day.

I'm off to take Issie to a surfing lesson!