Stephanie's Steamers
August 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
I am getting ready for another exciting JDRF Walk
to Cure Diabetes season! As you may know I was diagnosed with juvenile
diabetes August of 2000 at the age of 7. In the last six years I have pricked my
fingers over 21,900 times to test my sugar levels and I have received over 8760
shots of insulin. I am not alone. Over one million people have Type 1 diabetes,
thirty-five children every day are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and someone is
diagnosed every hour. These numbers are increasing annually. That sounds awful,
and it is – so that is why I am not giving up until there is a cure. I am
still working very hard to educate people about diabetes and raise funds to
benefit diabetes research. I have been mentoring other newly diagnosed kids and
sharing my story with congressmen and senators. I know I am making a difference
because most congressmen support the laws I talk to them about and with your
help I have raised lots of money for research.
The day I was diagnosed was a total shock. I
went directly from the doctor’s office to the ICU at the hospital and that’s
where I stayed for the next 3 days. I was not a happy camper to say the least. I
couldn’t believe that I was going to have to get shots for the rest of my
life. The doctors told me that my pancreas had stopped producing insulin and
would never start making it again. Once the doctors got my blood sugar under
control they showed my parents and I how to keep me alive by balancing my food,
exercise and insulin. I had to learn how to give myself injections and calculate
carbohydrate servings. Now, six years later I still struggle every day to keep
my blood sugar under control. I still don’t like the shots or sticking a
needle in my fingertips. Every time I feel "low" and shaky I have to
stop ridding my horse or playing baseball to have a snack so I don’t pass out.
I look like a normal kid form the outside but
I need a cure. Many people think that because I have insulin I will be spared
the complications of diabetes. Contrary to that belief, insulin is not a cure.
While insulin keeps me alive, it does not cure diabetes nor does it prevent its
eventual and devastating effects. Diabetes kills one American every three
minutes. It is the leading cause of kidney failure, adult blindness, and
non-traumatic amputations, and a major contributor to nerve damage, stroke, and
heart attacks. The good news, though, is that a cure for type 1 diabetes IS
within reach.
Some people ask why I support JDRF. The
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s mission is simple, "To Find a
Cure for Diabetes", period. JDRF is the world’s leading nonprofit,
nongovernmental funder of diabetes. In a typical year, more than 85 cents of
every dollar received goes directly to support diabetes research and education.
JDRF will be having their annual Walk
to Cure Diabetes at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in
1. Join my team and walk with us! The Walk is
a fun family event with activities, free food, entertainment and free admission
to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Each walker collects pledges from friends,
family and co-workers. In addition, every walker who collects over $100 will
receive a JDRF Walk tee shirt the day of the walk. You can Register
online at http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=86379996
.
2. Distribute this letter to anyone you know,
asking them to send a donation, or write a letter of your own to send out to
your friends and family. If everyone sends just $10 and asks just 5 other people
to send $10 I will reach my goal.
3. Can’t be with us but would still like to
help find a cure? Send a tax-deductible contribution payable to JDRF in the
enclosed envelope. Any donation large or small will be greatly appreciated. You
can even donate online at http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=86379996
! Then
click on DONATE and watch the thermometer rise to my goal!
Please be sure to indicate
"STEPHANIE’S STEAMERS" on all registrations/donations/
correspondence so that I know who to thank and so that JDRF can credit your
donation to my team for the awards. My goal this year is $2000. Keep in mind
that some employers will match your contribution. If yours does, please include
your matching gift form. If you do plan on joining us at the Walk please
remember to pre-register at http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=86379996
so I know how many team members to expect.
I am so grateful for your support and thank
you for touching my life in special ways. I hope you will join us in our quest
for a cure. Be sure to check my web site at www.setforacure.org for the
latest on what I am doing and any last minute information about the Walk. If you
have any questions or would like more information contact me at Stephanie@setforacure.org.
Thank you,
Stephanie
*** TEAM STEPHANIE’S STEAMERS 2004 ***
"Steaming Ahead for a Cure"