Shannon Allen is walking on October 3, 2009 in Boston, MA

   

Shannon Allen is walking with Walk for Walker on October 3, 2009 in Boston, MA.

Shannon Allen's Image

Dear Family & Friends,

This weekend, we'll be taking part in the JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes, in honor of our little "Superman", Walker, along with one-half million other walkers across the country, as we try to reach our goal of raising $100 million for a CURE.

As you may remember, our son, Walker was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last year in a dramatic fashion during the 2008 NBA Finals. Type 1, or juvenile diabetes is a life threatening condition that affects millions of people, a growing percentage of them are children, just like our Walker.

Since his diagnosis, we have both been "broken records" for diabetes; trying to raise the level of awareness of the symptoms as well as fundraising for the very necessary research for a CURE. We have immersed ourself in the "D-Life" and have quickly come to realize that Walker is the toughest member of our family- a constant source of strength and inspiration.

We would be lying to you if we said that caring for a child living with Type 1 is a "walk in the park", truth is, its damn hard. We now know that there is as much unknown about diabetes as there is known and that even though he is in great hands, managing his care is as much art as it is science. Even on the days when we think we've got it all figured out, when we are convinced we are doing our very best, we somehow manage to come up just a little bit short.

The truth is, we are just grateful to God that Walker is healthy and thriving; we've had our share of scares and moments we prayed we'd never ever have to face as a family; but, the emergency room visits haven't been as frequent and thank God, the moderate blood sugars outweigh the extreme highs and lows. And, through it all; the finger pricks, countless doctor visits, blood draws, rigorous insulin injections and most recently, insulin pumps (or, as Walker calls it, the "computer on his bootie")...through it all, he still has a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.

We still have hope and we firmly believe, now more than ever that a CURE is within our reach and the scientists at the JDRF will get it. For Walker. And, all the other little super heroes that do battle with this cowardly disease every moment of every day.

We know that times are tough and there isn't a lot of "extra" to go around, but, if you are able...won't you please help us support the JDRF to make our CURE a reality? Together, we CAN. We have to. We WILL!

Thank you and God Bless,
Shannon and Ray Allen




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Online Donations
Donor Name Amount of Donation Date Comments
Marci And Todd Abbrecht $250.00 09/30/2009 We're cheering for you all and for a cure!
David Adams $500.00 09/29/2009 Shannon and Ray, We admire the commitment that you have made to your cause and child.With passionate dedicated people like you and Ray a cure cannot be that far beyond the horizon. Best of luck with your fundraising. Dave and Sandy Adams and family
Anonymous $250.00 09/30/2009  
Michelle Ainge $150.00 10/01/2009 Go Shannon! I believe you can make this happen. God bless you for all your good work.
Marjorie Albert $25.00 10/02/2009 Hi Walker. You are clearly a very special little boy with very special parents. I send you all my best wishes and love. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Shannon and Ray, you have my great admiration for all your good work. Good luck on the 'Walk for Walker' and for all the other children and hope you have a great season.
Lori Albino $100.00 11/02/2009 Walker-- I'm great friends with your grandpa. I hope I helped! Love, Lori Albino
Flora Allen-hopson $250.00 10/02/2009 Walker,grandma Flo love you sooo much,and I think of you every moment of the day,and I want you to know that I'm trying so hard to help bring awareness about type 1 diebetes.Grandma know that there's a cure on the way.I love you my Walkie Talkie.
Kristina Altieri $25.00 10/01/2009 It's awesome that you guys are so involved in this cause. Your son is absolutely adorable!
Wesley Atamian $100.00 09/29/2009 Shannon keep up the fight!! You are admired by Mish and I and many more!! Wes Atamian
James Blake $1,000.00 09/30/2009
John Boccalatte $150.00 10/16/2009
Faith Brill $25.00 10/02/2009
Phyllis Bysiewicz $25.00 10/02/2009 All our love to Walkie, Phyllis and Ted
Cindy Carrasquilla $50.00 10/03/2009 Walker- Keep soldierin' on!!!
Bill And Rebekah Cholawa $500.00 10/01/2009 Ray and Shannon,Very touching story. You are blessed to have him and each other. This disease touches so many people. Good luck with the walk and this season. Ray, thanks again for all that you did to put UC on the map. Guys like you have extended the reach of our great school more than you can imagine.
Dario Collado $100.00 10/30/2009 Dear Ray and Shannon Allen, It was a pleasure meeting the both of you at last evening's event at your lovely home. I had a great time getting to know the both of you! I look forward to staying in touch and to the opportunity of hosting the both of you here at Harvard University sometime soon. Best of luck with this 2009 season! Best, Dario Collado Harvard Univ. Latino Leadership Initiative dario_collado@hks.harvard.edu
Nick Corrado $100.00 09/30/2009 Good Luck Shannon! You are an amazing person with an amazing family! Let me know if there is anything I can help with.
Rich And Susan Corrado $500.00 09/29/2009 Walker you have the most amazing family, with their love and tireless effort, Type 1 Diabetes will become history! Rich and Susan
William Ditullio $50.00 10/01/2009 Shannon I wish you the best! I lost my mother earlier this year unexpectedly she was only 55. She battled hard but eventually lost her fight. My goal is to help as many as I can so one day no one will have to suffer from this awful disease! Keep up the great work. My thoughts and prayers will be with you! Will
Eric Emery $50.00 09/29/2009 You are an inspiration!
Arlene Escobar $50.00 10/01/2009 Good luck Shannon! You and Ray continue to be a great inspiration! Hugs to you both and the kids! Will be thinking of you on Saturday.
Jack & Joann Fairburn $50.00 09/30/2009 A little something from us for your "Superman"!!
Jose Flores $50.00 10/15/2009 Good luck reaching your goal!!!
Chris And Celeste Fong $25.00 10/01/2009 Lots of luck!!! You are an inspiration
Flora Gaudet $50.00 10/01/2009 Best to Walker and your family!!! Lots of love!!!
Deborah Gill $25.00 10/02/2009 GO FOR IT!!!
Dorothy Gillespie $20.00 10/02/2009 I have other friends with children stricken with this disease, and some students as well. I hope that this small donation contributes to the finding of a cure so badly needed.
Rich And Kara Gotham $250.00 10/05/2009 Shannon and Ray, Wishing you and your family all the best. Rich and Kara
Robert Grady $100.00 09/30/2009 Good luck Shannon it's a fabulous goal!
Mike And Heather Tully Greenstein $100.00 09/29/2009 Best wishes for reaching your goal,curing this disease and getting back to the NBA Finals. Your fans in Seattle haven't forgotten you! Regards to Grandma and Grandpa Williams, too!
Diane Griffin $30.00 10/23/2009
James Hirsch $100.00 10/01/2009 Shannon, Congratulations for all you're doing to help so many.
Jen Hodge $100.00 10/01/2009 Shan, keep being the firecracker you are in finding a cure for this disease!! Walkie is so blessed to have such great parents that you and Ray are....All of us are supporting you along the way!
Michael Humphries $50.00 10/02/2009 from your woodworking crew!
James Jones $100.00 10/04/2009 Keep praying and believing and GOD will see you through this. GOD Bless
Todd & Sue Junker $100.00 10/05/2009 I had a grandmother who suffered from diabetes so it hits very close to home. There is a lot of day to day issues and I know you guys hurdle them with love and laughter....but let's just cure the disease, damn it! :) We love you!
John Karalis $50.00 10/01/2009 On behalf of RedsArmy.com... we wish you luck in finding a cure. Go Walker!
Anonymous $50.00 10/05/2009  
Ann Marie Kreft $250.00 09/29/2009 Shannon, We appreciate all that you and Ray do to increase awareness of how type 1 diabetes affects our children and families. Way to go Walker! Ann Marie, Tim, Isabel, Gus & Owen
Stephanie Laffin $50.00 10/03/2009 Lots of love from LA! Go Shannon GO!!! Love to you all! xoxo, Auntie Steph, Skylar & Janelle
Vickie Leflore $25.00 10/30/2009 "If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress." Barack Obama GOD Bless
Jeff Lensch $50.00 09/28/2009 Lets hope this is the last time you need to walk for Walker and all the other chldren as a cure is found this year. As always, my thoughts are with you all.
Robert And Karen Levine And Bohmke $500.00 12/27/2009 Thinking of you and wishing you well
Annemarie Loflin $50.00 09/30/2009 Keep up the great working in bringing awareness and a cure to juvenile diabetes! Good Luck!
Katie Maisto Klemonski $25.00 10/05/2009
Fred Martins $50.00 09/29/2009 Shannon, If you or Ray need anything let me know, I wish I could donate more. but I can give you my time.
Jane & Guy Mazzotta $50.00 10/28/2009 Best of luck to Walker and the entire Allen Family. Stay strong & we hope you reach your goal. (From Rick Mazzotta's Aunt & Uncle)
Marjorie Mazzotta $100.00 10/27/2009 Shannon - I hope this donation provides for a cure very soon! Peg Mazzotta
Michael And Melinda Monteiro $75.00 09/29/2009 Dear Shannon, Ray and family, Mel and I hope a cure for this disease is discovered very soon. Best wishes and good luck on your fund raising efforts, may you exceed your monetary goals. God Bless. Mike and Melinda Monteiro
Todd & Janis Noel $100.00 10/01/2009 Good luck guys, I've really enjoyed your tweets. Sam_lt
Patricia O'Leary $75.00 10/01/2009 Hi Shannon and Ray - Keep up the fight for Walkie and others!
Rahma Osgood $100.00 10/17/2009 Wising the Allen family the best, always!
John Donna Rak $100.00 10/15/2009
Bianca Ramirez $120.00 10/02/2009 LOVE YOU MOFONO :-) !!!!!!
Audrey Reny $50.00 10/07/2009 Shannon, Ray and Walker, We are praying for that cure for all the precious ones we know fighting diabetes everyday. xo Audrey, Steven, Danielle and Gillian
Alexander Reyes $25.00 10/03/2009
Carla Rogozinski $50.00 10/04/2009 Good Luck!
Michael Rose $250.00 10/01/2009 Shannon, Ray & Family: Wishing you the very best in your walk for Walker and reaching your goal to raise money and awareness to cure diabetes! -M.Rose
Bobby Rossetti $100.00 10/01/2009 Good luck gang, go get em. Your an inspiration. Tiamo.
Allen Samuels $100.00 10/08/2009
Sam Schneiderman $50.00 10/02/2009 Ray & Shannon, you have done so much to heighten the awareness of JD over the past year. Congratulations on your progress. Have a great walk. Can not join you due to prior commitments, but please let me know the date in advance for next year. Better yet, let's pray for a cure before next year's walk!
Anonymous $150.00 10/17/2009  
Amy Shook $50.00 10/02/2009 Go team Walk for Walker! I will be cheering you on this Saturday. Go get that cure!
John Siko $25.00 10/02/2009 Good Luck and God Bless . Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com
Jennifer Somo $25.00 10/25/2009 Walkie the brave warrior! I think about you all the time. You guys are constantly doing so much to battle this disease. Soon, D-Life will be a thing of the past.
George Souto $25.00 10/03/2009 Good Luck and I hope the weather holds up.
Michele Spence $250.00 09/30/2009 Dear Shannon and Ray Good luck in meeting your fundraising goal. This is a very worthy cause and your efforts are truly appreciated by all that are affected by the disease and their family and friends. Thank you.
Donnie Stern $500.00 10/01/2009 We wish were there to be a part of your team on Sunday. We love you all...God Bless you Walkie! Love, Larry, Donnie & family
Leah Stroman $25.00 10/01/2009 Love & God Bless You All
James And Mary Timmons $100.00 10/01/2009 Good luck with your committment to raising funds and finding the cure for Type I Diabetes. James and Mary Timmons (Susan's parents)
Joyce Topshe $50.00 09/29/2009 I wish I had a million more to give! Best wishes to you all.
Gary Tsai $100.00 10/02/2009
Anonymous $100.00 10/04/2009  
Leah Wilcox $100.00 10/02/2009 Hey Walker, we know with parents like yours the cure for JD is just around the corner! We love you guys, Leah & Millisa Wilcox!
Jackie Williams $500.00 09/29/2009 We love you Shannon and Ray and your tireless effort to find a cure for our Walkie and the millions of children who have this illness. He is blessed in so many ways, especially that God gave him you as parents. Love, Nana and Papa
John Williams $200.00 10/02/2009 Keep up the battle Walkie, you are the strongest little man I know...........more support from Nana and Papa
Anonymous $50.00 10/01/2009  
Susan Zwick $100.00 10/08/2009 I hope that this wonderful endeavor will contribute towards the cure for all types of Diabetes. Walker is a very courageous little boy, with wonderful support from his family.


Other Donations:     $6,045.00