Dear friends  -

 

In August 2002, our lives became overwhelmingly different from what we ever imagined. Two-year old Grace got the flu, and she never got “better”; she developed Type 1 diabetes.  Now, Grace is eleven and doesn’t really remember what life was like before diabetes. So, we are asking you to help make Grace’s life overwhelmingly different from what she’s ever known by helping JDRF to find a cure for T1D.Every year, we participate in the JDRF Walk for the Cure and ask for your support. This year, we would like to ask you to donate not only thinking of her, but of our whole family…all of our lives will be joyfully different when there is a cure. We are so excited about the prospect….

When there is a cure for Type I diabetes, we will celebrate!

We will celebrate not writing a letter asking for donations every year! Maybe we will send timely Christmas cards? J

We will celebrate more sleep! No more blood sugar checks at midnight and 2 a.m.! (And at least 5 other times a day.)

We will celebrate not worrying about diabetes complications later in Grace’s life! This disease will not take her eyes, her heart or her life.

We will celebrate the extra shelf in our fridge and extra cabinet space! No more diabetes supplies to store.

We will celebrate the one step less in preparing for school each year! No letters for teachers. No emergency supply kit. No doctor orders or IEP meetings. No careful planning for all field trips.

We will celebrate freedom from diabetes issues at sleepovers! No worrying about what Grace is eating. No middle of the night calls to go change a pump site.

We will celebrate no more scars! Grace’s fingers, tummy and bottom will be free to heal.

We will celebrate Grace being able to follow her dreams and go to whatever kind of camp interests her without fears of adequate diabetes care! Marine biology anyone?

We will celebrate hiring a babysitter without having special training first! And celebrate not wanting to have a sitter for as long as Grace lives with us!

We will celebrate not counting carbs for every thing Grace eats! No wondering if we guessed right for that piece of sushi.

We will celebrate no extra worries when Grace is sick! The flu will be the flu, not laden with the threat of going to the hospital.

We will celebrate no longer having a glucagon pen and worrying that we will have to use it! That emergency will never happen.

We will celebrate Grace never feeling self-conscious with her peers about having diabetes! Things that make Grace different will not include a chronic disease.

We will celebrate life without constant fear! No worry about whether Grace will wake up in the morning.

Our biggest reason to celebrate will be having the biggest worry in our lives gone forever. (Yes, we know there will always be something else, but no more diabetes!!)

When there is a cure, we will celebrate. We will have a party and invite all of you.

JDRF is the leader in funding the search for a cure. By donating to JDRF, you are helping make an overwhelming difference in Grace’s life and ours. If you have donated year after year, thank you. If you have received our letter year after year and have had reservations about donating for whatever reason, we ask you to please consider again this year.  If this is your first year receiving our letter, thank you for being dear enough for us to ask. Any donation to JDRF is not only finding a cure, it is supporting our family – it is looking forward to that joyfully overwhelming difference with us.

Thank you for your consideration. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We look forward to a grand celebration.

With hope - Monique, Mike, Grace and Claire