She is in Kindergarten at Bowral Public School and, like most young girls, she has lots of friends, likes to play netball and lives a healthy lifestyle.

But every two to three hours (even when she's asleep) Brianna must prick her finger to test her blood glucose levels or inject insulin into her body to keep her alive.

She must have four needles every day and eight to 10 finger prick tests.

Brianna was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 3?.

In 2008, she was on a family holiday in the US?with her parents, Nathan and Melissa Buckley, when she fell very ill.

"She was saying she was really tired and thirsty and, after a few days, we noticed she had lost weight," Mrs Buckley said.

"At first we thought she was jet lagged from travelling, but when she wasn't getting any better we knew something was wrong," Mr Buckley said.

Brianna was admitted to hospital for five days and when her parents learned their daughter had Type 1 diabetes they were shocked and surprised, but were quick to be at her aid.

"The hospital wouldn't let us leave until we completed a necessary Diabetes management course," ," Mrs Buckley said.

"We were taught how to look after her; we count her carbohydrate intake and blood glucose levels, and she is on a very structured meal plan. We have to make sure she is getting the right amount of nutrition that she needs.

"Type 1 is not lifestyle based and we have no family history of it, either."

With help, assistance and knowledge from her parents, Brianna is learning how to manage and understand her illness.

"She's very good, especially when we're not around. At school she checks her blood glucose levels and a teacher's aid supervises, but she generally knows what to do," Mrs Buckley said.

"Brianna knows to say no to foods that she can't have; she says 'Maybe I'll have that another time'."

Her parents have adjusted their life around Brianna's illness and they are very committed to helping find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

"There's no cure and it's life threatening," Mr Buckley said.

"Low blood sugar levels can result in a coma and potential death.

"We need to raise money for research to find a cure."

The family of four, including youngest daughter Ava, 3, recently participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for a Cure day at Parramatta Park, Parramatta, on Sunday October, 30.

The event invites children living with Type 1 diabetes, their families and friends to raise money for the cause by walking 5km.

The day is also a great family day out, with amusement rides, entertainment and information stalls provided.

Team Brianna Buckley raised $1366 and Mr Buckley's employer said they would match the total dollar-for-dollar, up to $2000.

The team will still accept donations until Friday, November 25.

To donate, visit http://walk.jdrf.org.au/teamParticipant.asp?teamID=788 and follow the links.