Andrei Marti meets with federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. (Courtesy of Annelies Browne)
Andrei Marti raised over $50,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Help Fill A Dream
Andrei Marti,13, of Brentwood Bay is raising funds and awareness about Type 1 diabetes, which he has been living with since he was five years old.
Marti has raised more than $50,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Help Fill A Dream by doing handstands, selling lemonade and during other various fundraisers including bottle drives. He obtained a busking permit five years ago and began doing handstands in the summers in downtown Victoria.
“I thought that I should busk because I’m really good at doing handstands,” Marti said. “We had a sign from Help Fill A Dream and we started to raise so much money in a short period of time. Doing handstands played a big part in raising that $50,000.”
Help Fill A Dream has assisted Marti and his family financially after his diagnosis, which inspired him to want to give back to help other families.
Marti travelled to Ottawa in November with a select group of students from across Canada on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. They went on the trip to call on MPs to support research into Type 1 diabetes and to help find a cure. The group asked for $5 million in federal funding to go towards research focused on novel interventions that address mental health in people living with Type 1 diabetes and $30 million to help with a related trial.
“This is a very hard disease on people, and it can take a toll on your mental health,” Marti said. “I spoke with MPs. They were very supportive. After seeing their reactions, it seems that there is a high chance that these asks will come true or will almost be met.”
Marti has received a significant amount of recognition and awards for his efforts, including most recently being chosen as a recipient of British Columbia’s 2022 Medal of Good Citizenship.
READ MORE: Saanich family embracing lifestyle change after Type 1 diabetes diagnosis
@brendanmayer
brendan.mayer@blackpress.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Diabetesfundraising
Be Among The First To Know
Sign up for a free account today, and receive top headlines in your inbox Monday to Saturday.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
A link has been emailed to you – check your inbox.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
A link has been emailed to you – check your inbox.