Laughing for juvenile diabetes
Laughter filled the air at McMinnville Country Club recently when there was a large turnout for the first A Laugh for A Cure presented by Friends of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
It was a gala affair with dinner and a silent auction, with numerous items donated by local businesses. Special guest speakers included Diana Ramage and U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis.
The event was one of the many fund-raising projects currently taking place in our area sponsored by Friends of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or Friends of JDRF.
Upcoming events include Golf for a Cure on Sept. 8 at McMinnville Country Club, and a hot dog wagon will be at Kroger on Sept.13. The organization’s goal is to raise $6,000. All the proceeds from these events will be presented to JDRF at the upcoming A Walk for A Cure, which will be held Sept. 20 in Nashville.
Friends of JDRF is a fairly new organization which began in June of this year. The group was started by parents with children and loved ones living with diabetes, with the goal of helping to find a cure for the disease.
What it has turned into since it was founded is a support group. Many of the children involved in the group were diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at a very young age, making it a life-long struggle.
Not only is diabetes a struggle for the child, but also for the whole family. Members of the group say there has to be a lifestyle change to manage this disease. Having a child with diabetes is an around-the-clock challenge. There are countless hours spent checking blood sugar levels, giving insulin injections and monitoring food intake.
Persons having any questions concerning Friends of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation may contact Melissa Paz at 668-5214 or Vicki Gallagher at 668-7943.