Rachel's story
For Rachel Kitson, volunteering with Diabetes New Zealand has become a natural extension of her own journey growing up with type 1 diabetes. As soon as she was “too old” to attend youth events herself, she stepped straight into helping run them - a commitment that has now spanned close to a decade. Rachel has volunteered at the last six family camps for Bay of Plenty/Lakes Youth.
‘I have been a type 1 since 24 August 2009, just after I turned 10. I am almost 27, and the changes I have seen since being diagnosed are mind blowing, not only in the technology but the knowledge and awareness of type 1 diabetes.
‘I help run the youth events throughout the year. I help out with the running on the day, including things like bowling, Skyline skyrides, Adrenaline Forest, and more. I enjoy just spending time with the families, chatting to the kids and parents, and being there as support. They can see an adult who has been through what they have been through. They can chat to me, ask questions, and know I can honestly relate.
‘I also attend the annual camps, spending the weekend with families and campers. Being a youth when I was diagnosed, I found these events and camps so important – meeting other type 1s and growing within my personal journey of navigating diabetes. Now that I’m older, I love being there, meeting the youth, and spending time with them. It’s great to be able to give back as a volunteer when I benefited so much from the support of the youth group when I was younger.
‘One thing I enjoyed most about being a kid at camp was meeting other kids. At my first camp, about seven months after being diagnosed, I met a family who are now my second family. We have grown up together and been through it with each other. The social aspect of being able to feel “normal” and not have to hide the pumps, sensors etc is just a great feeling.’
Having loved camps and youth events as a young person, Rachel knew how much those experiences mattered. Volunteers had made those moments possible for her, and giving back felt like the right way to ensure the next generation could enjoy the same sense of fun, belonging, and understanding.
What keeps her returning is the joy she sees on the kids’ faces, the friendships that form, and the way parents also find comfort in meeting others walking the same path.
As Rachel puts it, “I just love seeing the fun and joy that the kids get to experience. Meeting others who go through the same thing daily and realising that they aren’t alone. Seeing friendships formed between the youth but also the relationships that the parents build with other T1 parents is special.”
We are so grateful to have volunteers like Rachel supporting our community and helping young people thrive.