Griffin Lambert is one of this year’s ambassadors for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes, which will take place June 1 at the Barrie waterfront.

In addition to his various media stops to promote the event, the Grade 5 Bracebridge Public School student will be hosting his own Juvenile Diabetes Night on April 30 at Boston Pizza in Gravenhurst between 5 and 9 p.m. During that time, 10 per cent of all food sales will be donated to JDRF.

Griffin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two years ago, and now wears an insulin pump around the clock, and likely will for the remainder of his life. The pump has a tube which runs into his body and takes the place of the four daily shots of insulin he used to receive to regulate his blood sugar levels.

Griffin’s mother Karen home-cooks virtually all of his meals, and weighs his food before dinner. A strict diet, free of high sugars and high carbohydrates means many of his former favourites are now off the grocery list.

Nonetheless, Griffin stays as active as any other 10-year-old boy and takes part in virtually every sport there is to play, although he admits baseball and badminton are his hands-down favourites.

Griffin said he was excited when his family was contacted by one of the organizers of the Barrie JDRF walk and asked if he wanted to be an ambassador.

He raised roughly $2,500 for last year’s walk by going door-to-door and asking local businesses to help out.

“I just went around and told people we need money to put toward research to find a cure,” said Griffin.

Karen said the family was blown away by the response.

“It’s difficult because most people up here haven’t heard of JDRF, but the response was just wonderful,” she said. “We had a man from Oshawa read the story in the paper and decide to donate $250. It’s incredible to know that there’s someone out there who would choose to donate that money to a total stranger.”

Right now Griffin is focused on his big night at Boston Pizza and getting his hosting duties down pat.

“I’m going to greet people at the door and thank them for coming,” he said. “I would tell people to come because they’re supporting a great cause.”

If you would like to support JDRF and donate to the walk, please call Karen Lambert at 646-2155.