Kaitlyn enrolls in TrialNet

After Andrew's diagnosis, Kaitlyn was the first to enroll in a research study called TrialNet. It is a voluntary study (the kids over age 5 have to want to do it) following the close relatives of type 1 patients. It is a great study and has helped researchers learn a lot about the disease. For example, they have found antibodies only associated with type 1 diabetes & have seen that these antibodies often exist for a long period of time before symptoms occur. These antibodies seem to be created as the islets in the pancreas are being destroyed. The pancreas will function normally until it gets down to 20% of the islet cells. They've also found that some people have lots of the antibodies, but never get diabetes. Genetic testing has shown that there is a "protective gene". People with that gene seem to be immune. Kaitlyn wanted to participate & help find a cure for Andrew. One by one, each of the other kids have done the same.