JDRF: Helping Gigi Find a Cure

THIS IS THE FACE OF JUVENILE DIABETES

"If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for
much."-Marian Wright Edelman

Could you tell this 3 year old little girl you need to prick her finger for blood 6 times a day, plus a few in the middle of the night? Could you tell her you need to give her a minimum of 3-4 insulin shots a day? That is exactly what her parents must do. Gigi was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was 22 months old. For kids like Gigi and her parents, juvenile diabetes means preparation and planning. Gigi can not be left with anyone that has not had comprehensive training on how to care for a child with juvenile diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (which includes juvenile diabetes) is a chronic disease in which the body's own defenses (their immune system) attack the cells in the pancreas responsible for making insulin. Without insulin your body can not properly respond to blood glucose, a simple sugar your body uses to make energy. The glucose in the blood comes from the foods that we eat. Some foods contain higher amounts than others. People with diabetes must constantly monitor the amount of glucose they have in their blood. Too much, hyperglycemia, or too little, hypoglycemia, can lead to an emergency situation including coma and death. Parents of children with diabetes must be well educated about the disease and carefully monitor their children for symptoms.

As a child with juvenile diabetes, and as an adult Gigi may face many complications as a result of the disease. These include, but are not limited to:

• cardiovascular disease in its many forms (heart attack is the major cause of death in persons with diabetes)
• hypoglycemia which can lead to coma or even death
• nephropathy (It is a slow deterioration of the kidneys and kidney function.) which is the most common complication
• nerve damage which can result in numbness, tingling, and constant pain
• eye/vision disorders including blindness
• foot and leg ulcers which may result in amputation

Gigi's parents cite the wonderful care they've received at Children's Hospital, and the great support of family in helping her stay complication free thus far. Gigi thankfully is as happy as any other 3 year old. As many as 3 million Americans may have type 1 diabetes. Each year over 15,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. That's more than 40 children each and every day.

The costs of diabetes are staggering. The American Diabetes Association estimates diabetes costs this nation over $130 billion dollars a year. Currently there is no cure for diabetes. Gigi's parents however, as well as JDRF and many other reputable organizations believe Gigi will see a cure in her lifetime! The key to realizing this cure is through contribution.

This month I am making a donation in honor of Gigi to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. JDRF is the leading charitable foundation and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide. More than 85% of donations go directly to funding research. Their mission is to find a cure for diabetes and it's complications through the support of research. Charity Navigator gives JDRF 4 of 4 stars! JDRF also includes links on their site showing ways you can help without spending any money. The Advocacy Tool Kit is one such way. This kit will tell you how to contact Congress to lobby for more government sponsored research etc... Walk for a Cure , Ride to Cure are just a few more ways you can be part of the cure. JDRF local chapters are also always appreciative of volunteers.
For more information on diabetes, it's complications or about the many ways you can get involved and help bring about a cure visit the JDRF website or by clicking on any of the links above.