By Joe Robben
McPherson College women’s soccer team is hosting a diabetes awareness game at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, against Bethel College. This is the first time that the Women’s Soccer team is hosting a game focused on raising awareness. They are bringing this awareness to help raise money for Type 1 diabetes research. All the money raised by the team is going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.
Type 1 diabetes is a separate disease from Type 2 diabetes and is known as an autoimmune disease. Type 2 is curable, while Type 1 is not. This means people who have Type 1 must use artificial insulin for the rest of their lives because the pancreas has stopped working. Usually, people are diagnosed with the disease before the age of 12. Local kids who have Type 1 diabetes will be recognized at the game.
Sophomore defender, Hannah McKay, has had Type 1 diabetes since she was 12-years-old. The main reason why they are hosting this game is in honor of her and all the other people with Type 1 diabetes. “I feel super excited about it and that my teammates are supporting the cause makes me feel blessed,” said McKay. She is the only soccer player in the KCAC Conference with Type 1 diabetes. McKay has overcome a lot to get to where she is now. When talking about having Type 1 diabetes, McKay said: “I don’t use it as an excuse. I just keep on playing sports because that is what drives me to become successful.”
