Ellington

When doctor's diagnosed Clancy Walker's 3-year-old son, Grayson, with juvenile diabetes a few months ago, it ignited her desire to raise money and awareness about the disease.

"We would have never thought about children's diabetes before he was diagnosed," she says.

Walker is encouraging the public to participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation "Walk to Cure Diabetes" in Jackson Oct. 23. She formed the team, "Grayson's Go Getters" for her son and it currently has 75 members and has raised $2,405. Walker says 80 percent of every dollar raised by the walk goes toward research for a cure. Currently, scientists in California are testing drugs on an artificial pancreas.

Walker, who lives in Sandhill, says when her son showed signs of excessive thirst and fatigue, she took him to the doctor. Managing his diabetes has gotten easier, but the disease comes with limitations.

"We have to test his finger a minimum of four times a day and count every carb he eats," she says. "The worst part is that I'm not able to give him what he wants to eat."

A native of Brookhaven, Walker worked as a manger at the Volkswagen dealership in Canton, but recently decided to become a stay-at-home mom.

The three-mile "Walk to Cure Diabetes" is Oct. 23 at Mayes Lake in Jackson. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. To register, visit The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's website. Donate to "Grayson's Go Getters" here.