EVANS CITY — Corbin Edge, an eighth-grader at Ryan Gloyer Middle School, will never forget the story of when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 18 months old.

“I turned as gray as a ghost ... They said if my parents wouldn't have brought me in, I probably would've died that night,” said Corbin, 15, of Evans City.

“Remembering what happened when I was diagnosed, it just drives me to make a set mind of what I'm doing this for and why I'm doing it,” he said.

Corbin was named one of Pennsylvania's top two youth volunteers of 2019 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

Corbin was recognized for raising more than $10,000 for diabetes patients and research last September by assembling and raffling off 75 gift baskets at Evans City's Oktoberfest celebration.

“I did not expect it at all,” he said. “When me and my mother opened the letter and we saw it was this amazing award, I got really happy ... Something this big is an honor to receive.”

After attending a camp for young diabetics, Corbin said he was inspired to raise money for the cause.

His favorite event he has hosted was the Oktoberfest “American Diabetes Basket Raffle.”

Corbin shared his story about being diagnosed and living with diabetes to local businesses to garner donations. He then organized the items he collected and purchased into theme baskets and sold raffle tickets.

His mother Nanete Edge said Corbin takes pride in every event and fundraising opportunity, such as hoagie sales, basket raffles and bowl-a-thons.

The money he earned will be used to send young diabetics to a diabetes camp and to pay for research into a cure.

“Knowing I'm not the only one living with diabetes and the struggles I went through, I want to know that someday we'll find a cure so other kids don't have to go through what I did,” Corbin said.

What Corbin goes through daily includes pricking to his finger 10 times, wearing an insulin pump, limiting his carbohydrate intake and eating meals on a timed schedule with a two-dessert-a-week limit.

The Pittsburgh Steelers fan enjoys playing sports, hanging out with friends, and balancing the ups and downs of middle school, he said.

“Even though I keep going, some days it's difficult,” he said. “I know how to bounce back from bad days and keep going.”

About 1.25 million Americans have type 1 diabetes and an estimated 40,000 people will be newly diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Edge said her son does not let life restrict him.

“There are times he may miss a game or sit out because of high or low blood sugar. He always has to have supplies on him,” she said.

Corbin seldom stays away overnight because of his 3 a.m. blood sugar check.

“He can't just run to the park. He has to make sure the bags are loaded with everything and has a sugar tester and supplies, even at school,” she said. “He can be normal one minute and five minutes later, he can be in the 300-400 sugar reading and spiking.”

When Corbin was first diagnosed, Edge said she felt overwhelmed, but learned how to care for her child.

“I had to learn a whole new lifestyle,” she said.

Edge said she would tell other parents whose children are diagnosed with diabetes that feeling worried is normal.

“You worry. That worry does not go away over the years ... It's OK,” she said. “No matter what you do, no matter how prepared you think you are for it, which you never are even after all the training and education, it's still a lot of worry. You want that cure.”

For his volunteer efforts, Corbin will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., where he will join honorees from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 students will be named America's top youth volunteers of 2019.

Although Corbin feels nervous, he is excited for the trip.

“It's going to be really hard,” he said about the next stage of the award. “If I have faith in what I've done, I might have enough.”

Before the trip to Washington, Corbin is headed to Orlando, Fla., at the end of March to participate in the American Diabetes Walk for raising over $10,000 in one year.

Although the fundraisers will continue, Corbin plans to use his senior project in high school as an opportunity for a large-scale event such as a walk, he said.

Volunteering is not about the rewards or fame, Corbin said.

“I think people should volunteer for a better understanding of why volunteering is so important — in what ways you can help and change the impact on others,” he said. “You're doing it for a good deed and you want to change the mind set of others ... You're doing it for the cause.”

Corbin said his advice to other youths with diabetes is not to be self conscious.

“Be yourself. If you're friends are curious about what you have to do and why you can't go to certain places, just explain it,” he said. “Just live your life.”

Represents the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service.All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of Points of Light’s HandsOn Network, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award.These local honorees were then reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected state honorees and distinguished finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.On May 6, 10 of the state honorees — five middle level and five high school students — will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2019. These national honorees will receive additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit charitable organizations of their choice.Since the program began in 1995, more than 125,000 young volunteers have been honored at the local, state and national level.SOURCE: Seneca Valley School District news release