Dear Friends and Family,

My daughter, Jessica, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 11 when an autoimmune attack rendered her body incapable of producing insulin naturally. Today, at 31 Jessica is a new mother and continues to be challenged by the daily blood glucose testing, insulin injections and the monitoring that T1D requires.  I will never forget the day that I was advised by the staff at the children’s hospital that “kids with cancer have it better”, and as her mother, I became part of this health challenge.

Shortly after Jessica was diagnosed I became involved with JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). I am honored to currently serve on the JDRF Delaware Board of Directors and am also a new member of the Hope Ball Committee. JDRF’s Hope Ball is a truly inspiration evening that unites more than 400 members of the community each year to raise thousands of dollars towards funding research to prevent, treat and ultimately cure T1D.  

I also serve as a JDRF mentor to newly diagnosed families. Year after year as I meet these families my heart breaks for the road ahead of them, but with advanced medical testing and products, people with diabetes can live a normal life.  It is the money that JDRF raises for medical improvements (pumps, smart insulin, artificial pancreas, encapsulation of islet cells from stem cells) that gives me hope that someday there will be a cure!

This year the members of the Hope Ball Committee have committed to making a Fund A Cure gift together. Fund A Cure is one of the most moving moments at the Hope Ball. It is a unique opportunity to make a gift of any amount in support of JDRF’s mission. 100% of Fund A Cure donations support research and research-related education, allowing your dollars to make the highest impact on our path to a cure.

I know many of you have supported my JDRF Walk team in the past, but I am asking anyone who is able to donate $1-$10 to join me and the Hope Ball Committee in our efforts to support Fund A Cure.

With your support, together we will turn type one into type none.

With sincere gratitude,

Laurie