Kennedy's Personal Page

Hello! On February 23, 2013, I'll be taking part in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes, along with my brothers (Cole and Jacob), my parents (Rob and DeAnn), my Aunt Kristi, Uncle Rafe, cousin Anna and friend, Lauren.  We will join nearly 20,000 other walkers as we all try to raise money to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes. 

I was diagnosed with Type 1, or Juvenile Diabetes at age 4.  Having Type 1 Diabetes means that my body doesn't make insulin which we all need to stay alive. The only way for me to get insulin is to have insulin injections at least 4-6 times every single day.  Most kids dread having a flu shot which is just one time each year.  Imagine having to poke your finger 8-10 times every day to monitor your blood sugar and having to endure 4-6 shots every single day in order to stay alive.  It is not easy!

I'm lucky enough to have an insulin pump (similar to an IV) that is connected to me 24 hours a day.  I never take it off except when I take a shower or go swimming.  It's a bit annoying and tiresome to always have it hooked to me, but it keeps me alive so I don't really have a choice.  My life revolves around my diabetes and sometimes it is very frustrating, and I just wish it would go away.  Sadly, there is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes.  Insulin is not a cure, but it is a way to keep me alive until a cure is found.

There is some good news, though. JDRF is our best hope for finding a cure. It funds more Type 1 Diabetes research than any other charity worldwide and it's making progress along many promising paths toward better treatments and a cure.  Scientists are predicting that we CAN expect to see a cure well within my lifetime!  Do you know how wonderful that would be? It would be the happiest day of my life!

Now, more than ever, you can make a crucial difference. Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible? Together, we can make the cure a reality!

Thank you.

Love,
Kennedy

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