Jason Pearce and his best friend Jaclyn, who died of a heart attack brought on by her diabetes. Source: Supplied
MORE than 280 Aussies are diagnosed with diabetes every day.
There are approximately 1.7 million Australians living with diabetes, and most of those have Type 2 diabetes. It's the world's fastest growing chronic disease.
Jason Pearce wants to change this.
Five years ago, the 31-year-old Melbourne baker was overweight, unfit and at a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
But it was the death of his best friend at just 22, that forced Jason to do something.
"Jaclyn was my best friend," Mr Pearce told news.com.au. "I got a phone call saying she was going to hospital and it turned out she had a heart attack caused by her diabetes. Her sugar level was so high her body couldn't deal with it.
"She went into a coma and she was put on life support. Her parents had to make the terrible decision to turn the machines off."
At the time, Jason weighed 135kg.
Before: Jason at 135kg. After: Jason now. Source: Supplied
"I was quite overweight. I was prone to diabetes myself and I figured if I wanted to be around for a lot longer I needed to do something.
"So I made it my mission to get healthy, lose some weight and raise money."
Jasons started training six days a week, raised money doing several 5km runs and donated the funds towards diabetes research and awareness programs.
He's now lost 35kg, completed two 10km runs, and is participating in the Run Melbourne half marathon on Sunday to raise money for Diabetes Australia Victoria.
Jason says he feels fitter, stronger and healthier since making the change. He still exercises six days a week doing a combination of strength, weights and cardio training.
"Losing weight and working in a bakery was quite hard," he said. "I started at 10pm at night and finished at 8am. It was not very social. Trying to go to the gym after work at 8am is really hard.
"I feel a lot stronger since joining the gym. I'm sleeping better, I just feel so much better than I did."
Jason (right) and a friend after a race. Source: Supplied
Jason says we don't take our health seriously and need to take better care of ourselves.
"Don't think you're invincible, because you're not. You can just be here one day and gone the next. People don't realise that it just happens."
He says if you're at risk of diabetes, see a doctor and adjust your lifestyle accordingly.
"If you have diabetes or you're susceptible to it, look after your sugar levels and control them.
"I know so many people who have diabetes and they just joke about it. It's too serious to joke about.
"When my friend passed away she left behind a little boy. She passed away three weeks before his third birthday. I'm sure everyone wants to see their children grow up.
"I figured if I could raise a little bit of money each year to help with research and raising awareness then people wouldn't have to feel like I did on the day that I lost my friend."
To donate visit My Everyday Hero.
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