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.

 Diabetes isn’t just about managing blood sugars to stop the life-threatening complications. It’s about the way that a 4 year old feels when he or she is diagnosed. It’s about the life that is so often stolen from a diabetic. It’s about the seizures, the black outs, the hospitalizations. It’s also about how you manage to tell your friends, the discrimination of employers, and the interference in romantic relationships. Diabetes is an extremely real disease, for me, for my dad, and for over 180 million other people in the world.

 I started a group called Diabetic Echoes last year. Since then, we’ve raised over $3000 to research a diabetes cure and end the physical and emotional complications of this disease.

 We’re still raising money and still fighting for a cure this year. Specifically, we’re raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Promise Ball on May 2nd. I got the chance to go to the 2008 Promise Ball with 3 of my closest friends. It was amazing, fun, and an overall blast. I watched hundreds of people raise money to find a cure for ME and for my DAD. It still brings me to tears to know that someone bid on a vacation, and paid $22,000, so that I could finally know what it’s like to live without diabetes!

 I’m asking everyone I know to give to this awesome and personal cause. With the economy shifting, we are all feeling the effects. This includes the amount raised for donations to JDRF; the smallest amount WILL help. Tickets are $500, which goes completely to diabetes research. Our ultimate goal is to raise $5000. Please consider giving to JDRF for me, for my dad, and for the other diabetics out there.

 If you feel called to do so, enclosed is a card that you can return to me with your personal check by April 3rd. Donations are tax deductible.

With Love,

Lindsey Guerin