You might recognize this beautiful family. They have such an amazing story I wanted to share here. Please feel free to donate, walk or run, or do your part to help find a cure!
Here's a note from Charlie's mom:
Hello Family & Friends, A year has passed since our first Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes. Most of you know our 28 month old toddler, Charlie, was diagnosed last year with this terrible disease when he was just 10 months old. He had gone into Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA - a diabetic coma), had to be intubated, and ended up having CT scans to check for brain swelling. We spent nine days in the hospital while Charlie recovered, and we learned how to manage Type 1 Diabetes in a baby. I cannot thank those of you who donated last year enough. We raised an unbelievable $11,775. It was the 5th highest amount raised by an individual in Houston last year! We want to surpass that this year - our goal is $15,000, so we are reaching out to you again. Unfortunately, there is still not a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. However, our family has been very busy this year doing our part for a cure. Brian and I have been to two Children with Diabetes conferences - a technology conference in Houston, where we learned about the Continuous Glucose Monitor (more about that later), and the national Friends for Life Conference in Orlando. We went with five other families in our Houston support group. My dad came along to attend grandparent sessions (and to be the "manny") at the conference. There were about 4,000 people at this conference - over 1,000 children with diabetes. Charlie was one of the youngest, and he charmed everyone - including Miss America 1999, Nicole Johnson, who is a Type 1 Diabetic. The campaign was picked up by our local news, Channel 39, and Charlie and I were interviewed, along with Charlie's pediatric endocrinologist at Texas Children's Hospital, Dr. Morey Haymond. http://www.39online.com/videobeta/ccc148a0-4265-462a-874d-301c4aa057eb/News/Children-And-Diabetes Charlie and I have been going to several large Houston corporations to talk about the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, and to tell our story. We hope to inspire others and put a face with this disease. We have been blown away by the support of corporate Houston. Our whole family has been actively involved in fundraising and doing "our part." My brother and future sister-in-law did the Austin walk. My sister and brother-in-law did a walk in Raleigh, NC. Brian's brother did a walk in Seattle. My parents did the Austin & Houston walk, and have been active in the Austin JDRF chapter. My mom volunteered for the JDRF Hope Ball, and my dad volunteered at the JDRF Deal for a Cure. My dad was also recently elected to the Austin JDRF Board of Directors. Brian's parents also did the Houston and Austin walk, and spent hours putting together our video (see link below). There are Charlie's Angels from coast to coast! We all want a cure for this disease. Thanks to money raised for JDRF, Charlie has some new technology to help us manage his diabetes. Last year, I told you we put him on an insulin pump that delivers insulin to him 24 hours a day, which keeps him alive. Charlie now also wears a Continuous Glucose Monitor. This is a sensor we insert in his backside (via another needle), which talks to a receiver we keep in his pocket. The receiver tracks Charlie's blood glucose levels, and sounds an alarm if his blood sugar goes too high or too low. It's not perfect, but this technology did not exist five years ago and is here today thanks to funds that JDRF provided for research! SO - YOUR DOLLARS ARE HARD AT WORK! Just think what might be possible in another 5 years... I hope you can join us in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. We will be walking in Austin on October 31 (team "Charlie's Angels"), and walking in Houston on November 6 (team "Accenture", look for me as the team captain). To sign up to walk with us or to donate, please go to: http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmid=87846248 Below is a link to our video, which will give you a glimpse of how we manage this disease. In spite of everything, Charlie is a bright, curious, and happy little toddler! www.charliebear.us Thanks again for your support, and thank you for being one of Charlie's Angels. Any amount is humbly appreciated. Please feel free to pass on to any friends or family that may be interested in supporting us and the fight to cure diabetes. We are eternally grateful. Brian, Jordan and Charlie
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