Pump Princess

Welcome to our JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes Team Page!  We are taking the steps to help achieve JDRF?s mission: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.  

The money our JDRF Walk Team raises will go directly to support this life-changing research.

The JDRF Walk is a fantastic way to make a difference in the millions of lives of people affected by type 1 diabetes.  For at least that one day, they will look around and see all the support they have from their friends, family and community.  On Walk Day, everyone can have fun and celebrate how much closer to a cure we are because of their efforts.

Each member of our team is already hard at work in their fundraising. If you have taken time to visit our team page today, we ask that you consider making a donation or joining our team.  To make a team donation, click on the "Donate" button at the top of this page or if you would like to make your gift to one of the team members please click on their name below.  To join our team, click the join team link below.

Thank you.  Together, we will cure type 1 diabetes and its complications! 

Being diagnosed with T1D (Type 1 Diabetes) at the age of 15 was one of the most difficult times in my life.  I was an active teenager who was scared out of my mind.  Was I going to die?  Do I have to quit playing sports?  Are all of my friends going to make fun of me?  The uncertainty of what was now going to be my new lifestyle had both my parents and I concerned.  In my 20 years of living with juvenile diabetes, I?ve had some tough times.  Hospitalizations, high and low blood sugars, eye surgery and even a heart attack to name a few.  Nothing compared to what the future had in store for me.

On Mother?s Day 2009, my youngest daughter, Micheala was diagnosed with T1D.  She was 4 years old at the time.  Previous studies had indicated that parents with T1D had a minimal chance of passing along diabetes to their children.  Recent studies have proven that to be different.  I have given my daughter T1D and I owe it to her to fight for a cure.

We fight together.  We both wear insulin pumps to help manage our diabetes.  Insulin pumps are not the cure, but it makes everyday life a bit easier for the both of us.  We still have our difficulties, but manage to work through them together with the support of each other, our family and friends.

I get up every morning and stare at this beautiful girl who has to fight this battle on a daily basis and think to myself, I am responsible for her daily struggles.  I have been waiting for a cure for 20 years and I have finally just asked myself the simple question, Why not a cure for T1D now?  I have dedicated my efforts to all of those children like Micheala, who didn?t ask for this, yet continue tob fight each day.

Diabetes is everywhere.  An estimated 24 million American children and adults have diabetes.  They are your neighbors, your children and your friends.  IT IS US!  Help me cure my Micheala and the million other Michealas out there.

We have become actively involved with the Eastern Iowa Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and have made priority out of raising money to fund the cure for T1D.  We want you to join in our cause and become a member of Pump Princess.  Over the past 3 years, Team Pump Princess has raised over $36,000 for JDRF for the purpose of funding a cure.  This year we hope to add much more to that total.  With your help, we WILL achieve this goal!