When I was in grade school, regardless of whether our Trick-or-Treat costumes were home-made or store-bought, whether we wore masks or make-up, our huge paper loot bags were accompanied by small orange milk cartons stamped with information from UNICEF -- The United Nations Children's Fund. Printed on the cartons were examples of what a small donation might do for a child in a third-world country -- a nickel, for example, might provide a child with a pencil and notebook for school; a dollar might vaccinate him against smallpox or polio; five dollars could get his town clean water. The following school day, our teachers would collect the milk containers. The local PTA would count up the money and submit the school's UNICEF donation for that year.

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The Web Warren

It's September and the weather has cooled down enough for the Usual Suspects to hold their Fall Fun(d)raising Features. The festivities have already started: the weekend before Labor Day, Allison of Lemonade Life rode a rather rainy JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes until she was sidelined by a passing van's rear-view mirror. As usual, Carey's got his Charlie's Angels JDRF walk group going at the end of October, while my STARFLEET Regional group will participate in the JDRF Seaside Heights walk on the first weekend in October. (READ MORE)

wai.ti: on Flickr

The JDRF Promise Ball is coming up in just a matter of two weeks! I can't believe it's already here. I don't feel prepared at all. Sure, I've been fundraising for months and getting all that in order. But the rest of me isn't prepared to take a night to remember diabetes for the past year of my life.

Last year's Promise Ball was absolutely amazing. I took three of my friends with me; we got to dress up, valet park my car and eat a fancy dinner. As amazing as it was, it still brings me to tears today (almost one year later). Because the most amazing part was seeing how much was raised in one single night to find a cure for diabetes.

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It's that time of year again...fundraising! So I've written my letter. And here it is, for the world to see!

Dear______,

 On March 3rd, 1993, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I was 4 years old. It’s been over sixteen years since that day. I’ve struggled, grown, and I’ve gained and lost precious moments from this disease.

 In October of 2007, my dad was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as well. To this day, hearing that he had this dreadful disease like me has been one of the worst days of my life. Now, it isn’t just about my own diabetes, my risk of complications, or my lows and highs with this disease. It’s about my dad’s A1c, the genetic risks of diabetes, and the worry that comes with having a diabetic loved one.

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In trying to raise money for diabetes research, I've definitely noticed the effect of our declining economy. People just don't have money to give this year. 

With a month left before our team assembles for the Walk to Cure Diabetes, I've reached the stage of our JDRF fundraising campaign where I get a little desperate. When just about every person, place or thing in my periphery is fair game.

For example, driving home from a soccer game and crossing the Delaware River toll bridge. Hmm, I thought. Tolls. (READ MORE)

I knew I was getting close to the banquet room for the JDRF annual meeting when I spotted a used ACCU-CHEK test strip on the carpet like a breadcrumb in the forest.

I was reluctant to go; reluctant to make the commitment. As it is, there are not enough hours in the day.

Walking through the doors was sort of surreal. It was like a plumbers' convention. Only they weren't plumbers. I snaked my way around the room looking for a place to sit, taking in the throng of diabetes chatter as the people talked shop.

Snippets of conversations zipped into my ears and blended into others.

"So I says, honey, you got to get a freakin' pump!" coming from one table.

"You get ketones?" from another table.

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