Paula Reeves is walking with Amanda's Pandas on October 18, 2009 in Hershey, PA.
My sweet niece is a natural athlete with an enthusiasm that overwhelms. She loves lacrosse, soccer, swimming, gymnastics, cheerleading, dancing, and riding her bike.
To the shock of all, on June 18, 2007, Amanda was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes.
For several weeks following the news, our family experienced a range of emotions from shock, disbelief, anger, and guilt. We learned that her pancreas was no longer functional and that she would be insulin dependent for life. (Insulin is not a cure for her diabetes; it is merely her life support.)
Three months later, it was confirmed that she also has Celiac Sprue, a disease (that 10% of Type I Diabetics acquire) that will require her to maintain a gluten-free diet indefinitely.
Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating disease that affects millions of peoplea large and growing percentage of them children.
There is some good news, though. For the first time, scientists are predicting that we CAN expect to see a cure well within our lifetime!
Now, more than ever, you can make a crucial difference. Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible? Together, we can make the cure a reality!
|
Help JDRF—and me—find a cure for diabetes:
Donate Now
Join this Team
E-mail This Page to a Friend
If this page contains inappropriate material, click here to report the issue to JDRF.
|
