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.

  (READ MORE)

eschipul

This year’s JDRF annual conference has asked those involved with JDRF to compose a “Commitment to a Cure” piece. They will be using these commitment items to display on the Commitment Wall in hopes of increasing interest, passion and the volume of responses at the conference. 

(READ MORE)

Option #3

Tomorrow is the JDRF Promise Ball. I still haven’t figured out what I’m going to wear. Since it’s black tie, I wanted to wear one of the many evening gowns I have laying around (from prom and other balls). So last week, I tried on the main one I wanted, but I didn’t feel comfortable.

  (READ MORE)

Our team, Charlie's Angels, has been raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation since 2003 – the year Charlie was diagnosed.

For the first few years, we sent out our fundraising letter to friends, family and co-workers and did remarkably well. Last year, however, I started to feel uncomfortable asking the same people to give so generously yet again. I felt like they were investors in a cure that I was falsely promising. A cure that was "closer than ever" or "within reach" or "right around the corner." To be honest, I really don't know how close we are to a cure. But, what else can I do? I can't cure Charlie. I can only raise money and give it to the people who say they possibly can. I'll sell it like a snake oil salesman if I must.

  (READ MORE)

I have officially started my new job and I am excited about the potential that lies ahead. For a while now I have been chasing after the opportunity to work for this company and I'm at a point where I feel comfortable sharing more about it. While I am employed full time with my new job I will also continue to do some personal training and be a blogger for dlife. So anyway, enough of the dancing around,I am now a full-time employee of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and I am really happy about it.
(READ MORE)

theo_pz

What an awesome, great, fabulous, wonderful time I had this weekend in St. Louis, MO. I attended a family retreat put on by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The event offered people associated with our disease MANY opportunities. There were tons of kids, parents, and loads of helpful information. If you are someone who has diabetes or someone who has a relationship with a person with diabetes then I would highly recommend becoming a part of your local JDRF chapter if you have not already. There are literally hundreds of them around the globe and the nation and you will get everything you need from them.
(READ MORE)