Let's help Julia and Rylan... 

 

Two of my colleagues are raising money for a good cause.  We need to help.  I know Julia and Rylan.  They are great kids.  Here are their mom's letters.

From Lupe:

I am writing to you on behalf of Julia De Anda.

Julia was diagnosed with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes February of 2005, two and a half years ago, shortly before she turned six years old. She will be insulin-dependent for the rest of her life. In her short eight years of life she already has endured over 4,380 fingerpicks and 2,190 insulin injections. In addition to her rigorous blood testing and insulin shots, everything she consumes must be counted, measured, and her blood levels even need to be checked while she sleeps and plays. Julia is always a trooper and rarely complains. As you’ve seen, she is full of smiles, laughs, and eight-year-old mischief, amidst her daily diabetes routine. She actually began doing some of her own diabetes management at the age of six! Julia 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. Julia often asks us, “When do you think there is going to be a cure for diabetes?” It’s a painful question to answer looking at her beaming and hopeful eyes. We feel confident a positive answer will be available in the near future.

Please understand, I am not trying to have a pity session. I 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 her. 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.” This will be our first year since Julia was diagnosed, that we have formed a team. Our team’s name is “Julia’s Jelly Beans”. We hope to raise a lot of money towards this cause. This year’s walk will be held on Saturday, October 27 at Reid Park! (Registration time is at 8am and the Walk will begin at 9am.)

If you are interested, there are three ways you can help us make a difference for Julia:

==You can join our Family Team, known as “Julia’s Jelly Beans,” 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 or visit the website: www.jdrf.org.

We will deliver any donations in Julia’s honor the morning of the Walk.

==Our address is: 144 E. Calle Del Rondador, Sahuarita, AZ 85629

From Jeanine:

Dear Family, Friends and Strangers:

I am writing this letter on behalf of my son, Rylan. As some of you know, Rylan was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes July 16, 2007, right before the start of his first grade year. He will be insulin dependent for the rest of his life. Already, in this short time Rylan has endured countless finger pricks and multiple insulin injections. The awareness of this “new normal” has affected him greatly. No longer, does he have the option of having a piece of cake or even going for a swim, without testing his blood first and after! Everything he consumes must be weighed and measured, his blood levels even need to be checked while he sleeps and plays.

Rylan is my hero. He is always a trooper and rarely complains. He is full of smiles, laughs and six-year-old mischief, amidst his daily diabetes routine. He began doing his own finger sticks before we even left the hospital. He’s preparing to give his own shots soon. Rylan amazes me and is a blessing to have in my life as a reminder of spirit, humility and a positive attitude.

There are many devastating diseases in our world right now, which saddens me. The difference with juvenile diabetes is that wiping it out of existence is extremely attainable. It is within reach! Rylan often asks, “When will my diabetes go away?” It’s a painful question to answer looking at his beaming and hopeful eyes. I feel confident that I will be able to give him that positive answer before he goes to high school.

Please understand, I am not asking for pity. I truly believe that out of every difficulty comes something good. As parents, it’s our instinct to protect our children from harm the minute they are born and even before. I must do everything in my power to help find a cure for him. It is my mission to avoid the heart and kidney disease, blindness, amputation and early death that is a reality for many people with Type 1 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”. This year the walk will be at Reid Park on October 27th. We have formed our first team Rylan’s Rockers. We are raising money in Rylan’s name towards this cause.

There are a few ways you can help us make a difference for Rylan:

==You can - join our Family Team, Rylan’s Rockers. Collect pledges and walk with us on October 27th. You can register online at www.jdrf.org, click on the Register Now button.

==You can - send a donation online at www.jdrf.org. Click on the Support a Walker button and help contribute to Rylan’s goal even five dollars will help! Be sure to enter our team name, Rylan’s Rockers.

==Please forward this letter to everyone in your address book. I can’t do it without you! Rylan has set his goal and I hope we can meet it.

==You can send us a tax-deductible contribution in any amount, made payable to JDRF. We will deliver any donations in Rylan’s honor the morning of the Walk. Please send donations to 10885 E. New Rock Ridge Road, Vail, AZ 85641

==We would like t-shirts made for the walk. If anyone has a connection, please let me know!

Thank you for your help and support. I hope to see you at the Walk on October 27th!

Give a dollar.   Give $5.  Give more.  Everything will help.  Let's help these kids.
Posted: Sunday - September 23, 2007 at 16:06