Gavin's Gladiators

Just before Christmas, Gavin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). He's only three. While it's better that he was diagnosed early, he has a long road ahead of him.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. There is nothing one can do to prevent T1D, and--at present--nothing one can do to get rid of it. It comes on suddenly, causes dependence on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications.

Gavin is far from alone. As many as 3 million Americans have it too, and each year, approximately 80 people per day are diagnosed.

In honor and in support of Gavin and all the families who have a loved one with diabetes, our family will be taking part in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's annual Walk to Cure Diabetes on February 23 at the Mall of America. This event brings families together to raise awareness of this disease and raises funds to support JDRF's mission--to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Please join us. Walk with us on February 23, or, if you can't attend, please consider making a donation to support our team. By joining our Walk team or making a donation, you will be helping to directly support research with the greatest potential to conquer this disease! Any amount will make a difference.

On behalf of our family, thank you for your support. We hope to see you at the Walk!