Nick Jonas sings praises of diabetes awareness efforts
Musician Nick Jonas took out time prior to his Friday night concert at Rexall Place to meet fans with diabetes to raise awareness about the disease, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 13.
Sun Life Financial teamed up with Jonas’ organization, Beyond Type 1, to provide select members of the Canadian Diabetes Association and JDRF Quebec living with diabetes the chance to meet Jonas and attend his concert free during the Canadian leg of his world tour, Future Now. JDRF Quebec is involved in Type 1 diabetes research.
“My life was changed pretty dramatically and it came at a time that was really challenging,” said Jonas, now 23. “Once I got a grip on how to manage it myself, I wanted to do all I could to raise awareness.”
After a weeklong visit to a hospital where he learned more about the disease, Jonas said he decided to inspire others with diabetes.
“When I was in the hospital trying to figure what was happening with my life, there was no one that I could look at and say, ‘Oh, they’re doing all they want to do with their life while living with diabetes,’ and I hope to be that person.”
In 2015, he co-founded Beyond Type 1 to educate people about the disease and provide resources and support for those living with diabetes. The organization leverages the power of social media and technology to help sufferers live well.
“Not feeling alone is so important; especially as a young person, I think it’s so easy to get sucked into feeling isolated, and so my hope is that me sharing my story and being open about it helps other people,” said Jonas.
Meeting fans with diabetes at various venues across the country has been an empowering experience, Jonas added.
“I’m living with this disease, as well as speaking out on it and trying to be an inspiration, but I also need that encouragement from time to time.”
Diabetes is a chronic, often debilitating and sometimes fatal disease, in which the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces, says the Canadian Diabetes Association’s website. There are 11 million Canadians living with diabetes today.