Fundraiser helps 5 year old girl move closer to diabetic alert dog
Pictured after the raffle drawing is Tatum, Ashley Farrell, Bryan Farrell and Nick Thoroughman. Tatum is shown holding the cash prize of the $250 raffle that Farrell donated back to help towards receiving a diabetic alert dog.
A fundraiser held during Legionfest: Taste of Versailles on Saturday, July 25 helped bring one family a step closer to providing a specially trained diabetic alert dog for 5-year-old Tatum, daughter of Kelsey Olds and Ryan Wilson. Olds, a native of Switzerland County, now resides with her family in Carrollton, Kentucky.
Tatum was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just two years old. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that prevents the pancreas from producing insulin, a hormone the body needs to regulate blood sugar. Tatum relies on an insulin pump to deliver insulin and a continuous glucose monitor to help track her glucose levels.
Because Tatum is considered hypo-unaware, she often does not recognize or show symptoms when her blood sugar drops to dangerous levels. A diabetic alert dog is trained to detect changes in blood sugar through scent, often before a continuous glucose monitor can detect them, providing an additional layer of safety and early warning.
The family is raising funds to purchase a diabetic alert dog that will undergo more than a year of specialized training before joining Tatum at home. In a recent update, the family shared that the dog is already in training and that they have surpassed the halfway point toward their fundraising goal.
On Saturday, July 25, Stephanie Puckett organized a $250 raffle during Legionfest: Taste of Versailles at the Versailles American Legion Post 173. Puckett has been supporting the cause because Tatum is part of her extended family through her father, Dennis Ryker.
The annual event featured a variety of smoked food samples offered by multiple vendors throughout the day.
Bryan Farrell won the $250 raffle prize and chose to donate his winnings back to Tatum’s fundraiser. Combined with raffle ticket sales, the event raised a total of $2,251 to support Tatum’s goal of bringing home her diabetic alert dog.
If you would like to donate to help Tatum, the link is:
https://gofund.me/6449174f1
