When her son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just 21 years old, Pierrette Petit was largely unfamiliar with the specifics of this condition and its major impact on daily life. Athletic and mindful of his diet, her son had only recently left home, he was full of energy and plans, and nothing foreshadowed such a dramatic turn of events.
Determined to understand the disease in order to better support her son, Pierrette Petit immersed herself in the search for reliable information. This is how she discovered the BETTER Project, a Canadian initiative of the IRCM's Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, bringing together scientists, people living with type 1 diabetes, their families, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.
She chose to dedicate her inner strength to a cause that deeply resonates with her: research. She thus took on a significant challenge: completing 10 events of 5 km walks and runs and 10 km ski or bike rides, surrounded by her family and friends. At each stage: a breath of solidarity, a sincere exchange, a moment of sharing. With every stride, she conveyed a simple yet powerful message: together, we always go further.
"This challenge is much more than a physical effort," she confided. "It's an act of love and hope."
Thanks to their energy and commitment, Pierrette Petit and her loved ones contributed to a remarkable fundraising effort for the IRCM Foundation, supporting diabetes research and projects like BETTER, which are making a real difference in lives. To date, $6845 were raised.
Pierrette Petit was impressed by the quality of the resources offered by the BETTER Project: concrete tools, clear data, accessible training, and above all, a human approach centered on the realities of people living with type 1 diabetes.
“It’s a real goldmine,” she says. “Thanks to the BETTER Project, we feel understood, supported, and better equipped.”
Aware of the importance of medical research, Pierrette Petit knows that every discovery, every study, aims to improve the quality of life not only of people living with diabetes today, but also of those who will receive a diagnosis tomorrow. Knowing that she can rely on verified information and the committed BETTER Project community takes an enormous weight off her shoulders. Her son, surrounded by caring and informed friends, lives with his condition openly, with a good dose of courage and optimism.
Always active, passionate about tennis, hiking, cross-country skiing, cycling, and a runner for over fourteen years, she knows the value of perseverance. Pierrette Petit isn't one to sit idly by. Despite hip surgery, she has rediscovered the joy of running, living proof that determination can open many doors. She invites everyone who wishes to join her and support the IRCM Foundation.
