Every day new families are given the news that a child has been diagnosed with Type One Diabetes (T1D); this diagnosis is the catalyst for life-altering changes both physically and mentally for everyone involved. T1D is an autoimmune disease that can be diagnosed at any age. Its causes are not fully known, there is nothing you can do to prevent it and, presently, there is no cure.

My daughter Leah was only 5 years old when she was diagnosed with Type 1. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my family’s lives would never be the same. Monitoring my daughter’s blood sugar levels is a full-time job and my husband and I have seen firsthand the constant challenges of trying to maintain safe blood sugar levels. Diabetes remains a life-threatening disease with serious complications. My family and I, in partnership with JDRF, have become dedicated to raising awareness about T1D and the tremendous need to support the research to find a cure. I encourage you to attend, sponsor or donate an item to support our dream for a cure.

Jessica Shwedel, JDRF Gala Chair