Here is why I am determined to raise $100,000 to end Type 1 Diabetes.
I have lived with this disease for 39 years. It is an autoimmune disorder that can strike at any age, regardless of diet, lifestyle, or genetics. When diagnosed as a child, the world seems extremely unfair.
I started at a time when the only options were multiple daily insulin injections, and manually measuring and mixing different types. Testing glucose levels several times a day required pricking your finger hard enough to produce a pea-sized amount of blood (compared to now, what is a tiny fleck of blood), then waiting two minutes, blotting the test strip with a special blotting paper, and putting the test strip in the machine to produce a reading in another three minutes. Sugar was off limits at all times, which made birthday parties quite awkward.
With T1D, there are no days off.
Those old methods made stabilizing blood sugar levels next to impossible, and led to scary events of both high and low blood sugar levels.
I have learned a lot through my fundraising efforts about the misconceptions that some have about the new treatment options — insulin pumps and glucose sensors. Some seem to think they are permanently implanted, and don't understand that "pricks" are still integral in the management of T1D. Regardless of the method of delivering insulin or checking glucose levels, needles of some kind are still required on a regular basis.
The sensor must be changed every ten days and that is inserted with a needle in a spring mechanism. And of course, should the technology fail — which it does from time to time — the only other option is to go back to the finger-pricking glucose meter (which insurance often no longer covers when you use sensors).
There are different types of insulin pump connections, all needing to be changed every three days. All start with inserting a needle, and most leave just a small plastic tube for delivery. But when you do this as long as I have, there is so much scar tissue that the tube would just clog up and stop delivering. So I always have a small, pushpin-type needle taped to my abdomen.
The only insulin my body responds to often burns as it flows through, and is not preferred by my health insurance (or anyone's, for that matter). Again, when it fails, syringes are at the ready for a good old-fashioned insulin shot. This all amounts to too many pricks still required.
Your support can help change my world to one with No More Pricks.
Over the last ten years, my small but mighty team has raised an amazing $86,000+ and been a leader in the Southeastern PA region. It has become my very personal mission to raise $100,000 for this organization with the hopes of ending T1D for good. I have been absolutely in awe of the generosity and support that family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers have shown once they realize all this disease entails.
JDRF / Breakthrough T1D is the one organization with the plan, influence, and ability to lessen the burden of this disease until it no longer exists. It has brought me an enormous amount of satisfaction to read promising articles on new treatments and possibilities that were funded at least in part by this organization — something that cannot be said for many other similar charities.
By donating today, you can help fund research and development that impacts the lives of the millions of children, adults, and families challenged by T1D every single day. With your support, we will create a world without T1D and, of course, No More Pricks. Thank you.