Around a hundred years ago, Maddie’s great-grandfather was growing up in Burgaw, NC as the oldest of 10 children.  He had a younger brother, three years old, who followed his mama around crying, “wahwah, wahwah!” (that’s baby for “water, water!”).  His thirst grew and grew, along with other health problems such as frequent urinating, weakness, vomiting, and he soon died of what was then called “water diabetes.”

We now know so much more about what killed my grandfather’s little brother: juvenile diabetes, nowadays referred to as Type 1 Diabetes.  Knowledge of what diabetes is, as well as advances in how to manage it,  now allow most people with Type 1 to LIVE and to live much healthier and more active lives than ever before.  Most of these advances are due largely to the efforts of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Diabetic Association.  So much of what Maddie uses today to manage her diabetes is a direct result of the research and discoveries made by funding from JDRF.

Maddie and I will be walking for a cure for diabetes and for more advances in understanding and managing diabetes.  Our Walk will take place at Wake Forest University on October 23rd, 2010.  I invite you to take part in providing necessary funding for JDRF to continue their research.  “Smart” Insulins, and an artificial pancreas are just some of the incredible advances they are working on now, along with daily progress towards an actual cure for Type 1 Diabetes.  Even the smallest of donations goes a LONG way with JDRF!

Maddie and I also invite you to walk with us that morning.  It would be wonderful to have a group of folks to walk with her, supporting all she does to manage her own diabetes as well as her efforts to raise money for a cure.  Thank you ALL for your friendship and support we have experienced already in the last ten months since her diagnosis!!  We could not have made it this far without all your thoughts, encouragement, and prayers!

***The easiest way to donate to Maddie’s Mission is click on this link here.  It will take you right where you need to go to contribute.  Thank you so very much!