Rockers generation

Since yesterday, I’ve been working on fundraising and getting tickets for the JDRF Promise Ball coming up in the next few weeks. So far I have raised $2000 (or 4 tickets). I’m so excited! Not only have I raised money for a charity that means the world to me, but I’m getting dressed up and meeting dozens of new people that have been through everything I’ve been through.

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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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The evening was perfect. My friends and I looked like we just stepped out of a magazine. I finally got a dress to work (thanks to an ingenious idea that I'll cover in a future post!). We even valeted the car. Everything was fabulous.

After chatting and perusing the silent auction items, we headed into the Ballroom of the Americas for dinner and the main events. I was excited to be there, excited to be part of such a personal and amazing fundraising event. I didn't realize how excited I would be as the night progressed. I didn't realize how carried away I would be by the actual facts.

Dinner was magnificent. The food was scrumptious. The presentation was perfect. Dessert was the best part. Chocolate napoleon with chocolate covered strawberries. Two of my favorite things. I even judged the carbs and activity perfectly (I ended the evening at 130).

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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)

Well, Carnival for a Cure, anyway -- the annual fundraising event presented by the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI). Four years ago, it was at this event that Nick Jonas went public with his type 1 diabetes. This year, he returned, courtesy of Bayer HealthCare, to thank everyone and to continue to inspire children, teens, and adults with diabetes. Through dLife, I had the opportunity to speak with Nick and ask him about his life with diabetes. My own challenge was, in ten minutes, to see if I could learn something that hasn't been asked and answered hundreds of times over. (READ MORE)

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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