Erik Bilstad turns lifelong Type 1 diabetes into a call for breakthrough research

The WTMJ host, diagnosed at seven, will emcee a Wisconsin fundraising walk while sharing how he manages the condition and advocates for better treatments.

Erik Bilstad has spent most of his life managing Type 1 diabetes, a condition he was diagnosed with at the age of seven. In a personal account shared on Wisconsin’s Morning News, the WTMJ host described how he has learned to live well with the autoimmune disease while still making room for work, family and public advocacy.

Bilstad is due to emcee the Breakthrough T1D Walk at Greenfield Park in West Allis on Saturday, 17 October, an event aimed at raising money for research into better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. JDRF, the organisation behind the fundraising effort, says its work focuses on restoring the body’s ability to produce insulin, preventing the disease before it starts and improving daily life for people already living with it.

The broader medical picture underscores why that research matters. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Type 1 diabetes can appear at any age and is caused when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It also notes that people with a family history face a higher risk and may benefit from early screening, which can begin as young as age two. Early detection is important because it can reduce the chance of serious complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis.

Mayo Clinic says diagnosis is typically confirmed through blood tests, including random blood sugar, fasting blood sugar and A1C testing, which measures average blood sugar over the previous two to three months. Treatment then relies on a daily routine of insulin, regular glucose monitoring, healthy eating and physical activity, usually with support from a wider care team. The CDC also stresses that, although there is no cure, people with Type 1 diabetes can still lead full and healthy lives with careful management.