Benefit Event May 15th in support of Juvenile Diabetes

On May 15th from 4pm to 10pm we will be hosting a benefit party for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Jeff’s daughter Caitlyn, as well as Truk Brown’s son Dakota (two of our favorite patrons!), both suffer from this difficult disease.

Cover is $40 for adults and $20 for children, and includes dinner and entertainment. All proceeds will go to the JDRF. There will be raffle prizes and gift baskets, great food and dancing!

We are looking for sponsors to help with food and money donations, so if you would like to help out please contact Jeff at 480-961-2913.

Bea shares with us their personal experience and how they felt when Caitlyn was diagnosed:

We are writing you on behalf of our daughter Caitlyn,

As many of you know, Caitlyn was diagnosed with Type 1 (Juvenile) diabetes almost 4 years ago, 2 weeks before she turned 7 years old. How was Caitlyn diagnosed? What were her symptoms? Caitlyn was drinking large amounts of water and was definitely not feeling herself. We took her to the doctor to run tests. The doctor came into the room after a urinalysis and glucose check was completed to tell us the news. I remember that day very clearly because when the doctor came into the room looking very upset and apologized to have to give me the news that Caitlyn was Type 1 diabetic. I, her mother remember the room began to spin. The thoughts going through my head were, “Wasn’t diabetes something that overweight, elderly people got?” Sadly, those were what my misconceptions were. Everyone we knew was older and I now know Type 2 diabetes is very different than Type 1. Type 2 can be monitored with diet, exercise and oral medications. The doctor then proceeded to tell us that Type 1 could only be treated with Insulin and the diagnosis meant an immediate 3 day hospital stay. Hence, began the journey of learning how we could properly care and help our daughter.

She will be insulin-dependent for the rest of her life or until a cure is found. She has already endured well over 14,000 finger pricks and over 3,000 insulin injections and insulin pump infusion site changes. She also has to have blood tests every three months. Caitlyn has also been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism another auto-immune disease common in Type 1 diabetics. She has been hospitalized twice this year for seizures due to severe blood sugar lows.

In addition to Caitlyn’s rigorous blood testing and insulin shots, everything she consumes must be weighed and measured, and her blood levels even need to be checked while she sleeps and while she is at home and at school. Every carbohydrate has to be accounted for and the appropriate insulin calculated to ensure she remains healthy now and for her long-term health. Caitlyn is always a very brave girl. She has grown into a beautiful young lady, full of smiles, laughs, a ten year old ready to take on the world even in the midst of her rigorous diabetes routine. Caitlyn began doing her own shots just two weeks after diagnosis! She continually amazes us and is a blessing to have in our lives as a daily reminder of spirit, humility, and a positive attitude.

There are many devastating diseases in our world right now, and that saddens us. The difference with juvenile diabetes is that wiping it out of existence is extremely attainable and within reach. Caitlyn often asks us, “When is my diabetes going to go away?” It’s a painful question to answer looking at her beautiful, brown, hopeful eyes. We feel confident a positive answer will be available in her lifetime.

We truly believe that out of every difficulty comes something good. As parents, it’s our instinct from the moment our kids are born to protect them from any harm. We must do everything in our power to help find a cure for him. It’s our mission to avoid the heart and kidney disease, blindness, amputation, and early death that is a reality for many people with juvenile diabetes.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the #1 non-profit funder of diabetes research worldwide. One of JDRF’s largest fundraising events is the “Walk to Cure Diabetes.” Each year since she was diagnosed, we have formed a team named “Caitlyns Cool Crew” and have raised money towards this cause.

If you are interested, there are three ways you can help us make a difference for Caitlyn:
• You can join our Family Team, known as “Caitlyn’s Cool Crew” which consists of family and friends who collect pledges and walk with us.
• Send your donation and contact others in your circle of family and friends to donate as well. Just contact us and we will send you a pledge form. If you choose to raise donations yourself, you may forward this letter or write your own.
• You can send our family a tax-deductible contribution in any amount, made payable to JDRF. We will deliver any donations in Caitlyn’s honor the morning of the Walk.

Thank you for helping our family team meet our goal of raising this year. Thank you for your support and we would be honored to see you at the event this year!