Welcome to my JDRF ODRAM fundraising page!
I’m taking part in the 2019 ODRAM, along with hundreds of riders from around the world, to raise money for JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.
Did you know T1D:
- Strikes both children and adults suddenly and is unrelated to diet and lifestyle.
- Occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin is essential to turning food into energy.
- Requires constant carbohydrate counting, blood-glucose testing, and lifelong dependence on injected insulin.
JDRF is working every day to change this. And every dollar I raise helps them continue to bring life-changing therapies from the lab to the community until a cure is found.
I have been hard at work training and fundraising, and your gift today will propel me toward the finish line. Please donate and help JDRF achieve its goal of a world without T1D.
Please check back to view my fundraising progress as my ODRAM weekend approaches. Thank you for your support.
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"I think diabetes is just this horrible thing that spreads around and no one can fix it...but I'm okay with that." - My child with type 1 diabetes, trying to cope, without complaint, with why he was asked not to each a carb-rich food when his blood sugar was already high.
I hope you pledge. For me and my child. But also for the many people who need a help, solutions, and if we dare to dream: a cure.
I also want to give you an idea of why I'm riding for JDRF.
Since our diagnosis, at no cost to our family, when we needed help the most, JDRF was there for us.
1. They sent us a "Bag of Hope" at diagnosis, free of cost. It contains a teddy bear with diabetes, Rufus; age-appropriate picture books with diabetes so children have a way to process their shock, pain, grief and trauma, and a concise book for parents and caregivers I have used for every babysitter, relative, and school staff member who needs a primer on Type 1.
2. JDRF is on the frontlines of the fight for patient choice - the benefits of which are not limited to patients with Type 1 Diabetes.
3. We were matched with a mentor family after diagnosis through a local JDRF Chapter. I cannot describe the relief I felt visiting with an active 12 year old competitive swimmer and his mom.
4. The local JDRF Chapter in Michigan arranged for a Certified Diabetic Educator-Nurse to train the teachers at Milan's school for continuing education credit at no cost. They will do this for any school who requests it.
5. My mom has wanted to get more involved in the diabetes community and is starting a local grandparents of children with type 1 diabetes group with the support of our local chapter in SE Michigan.