The Sanford Project has millions of dollars dedicated to finding a cure for type one diabetes. One South Dakota family may not be putting up millions, but is putting up a front of their own against the disease.

Down a seldom-traveled country road in Edmunds County, at a home with a family of six living inside, type one diabetes may have met its match.

"The whole family has to go by it," mom Nichole Beyers said.

That family is the Beyers.  Only one of them has diabetes but they all eat healthier now and pray for a cure.

"We'd always wanted to raise money for diabetes and I didn't know how to do it," Nichole said.

When summer rolls around, the oldest boy in the family plays baseball. The family goes to watch, so mom, Nichole, thought of selling ice cream as a fundraiser when they're there.  Five-year-old twins Emma and Claire help with that.

"Just sit there," Emma said.

But it draws in a lot of people. In fact, the first time they set up the stand, the family sold out of ice cream. Once baseball season starts, they'll be out selling ice cream once again. They can't afford to quit yet.

"Because I don't want to have diabetes anymore," Emma said.

Shortly after her second birthday, doctors in Aberdeen diagnosed now five-year-old Emma with the disease.

"She was like 900 and normally people's blood sugar should be like 80 to 120," Nichole said.

Emma was in such serious condition she had to be flown to Sioux Falls.

"Shock and scare,” Nichole said. “To look at the nurses was very scary when they look nervous.”

Emma doesn't remember all that and she doesn't know exactly what diabetes is, but she knows what it means for her.

"Get tested," Emma said.

Erich Schaffhauser: What's that mean? What do you have to do when you get tested?
Emma: Poke my finger.
Schaffhauser: Is that fun?
Emma shakes her head ‘no.’

"I had never given a shot and now Emma gets five shots a day," Nichole said.

That's just one adjustment the Beyers have made.  Every one of them, from dad out working on the farm to the youngest member of the family, will share Emma's routine eating five meals at specific times. They also support her with the routines only she has to do, like getting those shots five times a day.

"Sometimes I cry," Emma said.

Sometimes others in the family do, too.  The money they raise through the ice cream stand goes toward the Sanford Project. Nichole Beyers was so thankful to hear about that.

"Oh, brought me to tears. Yeah, it'll be nice. I know some day there'll be a cure," Nichole said.

That project has millions in its budget. With the ice cream stand, the Beyers' have added $114.43. But with prayers going up and more money expected to come in, diabetes is facing an equally strong front down a seldom traveled road in Edmunds County.

"Cause they know it'll be nice to have a cure for Emma and everyone who has diabetes," Nichole said.

Schaffhauser: How bad do you want a cure?
Emma: A lot.

Emma is excited to start kindergarten in the fall. Her parents are working with the school district to monitor her diabetes there.