Dear JDRF Friends and Family,
Imagine hearing the dreaded words, “Your child has type 1 diabetes.” Those words became our reality on June 14, 2017, when Mary Blair was just 4 years old. What is type 1 diabetes (T1D)? What do you mean we have to go straight to the hospital? What do you mean it’s incurable? What do you mean she has to take multiple shots daily? What do you mean we have to administer insulin for everything she eats or drinks that has carbs? Those were just a few of the many questions we asked that day. Mary Blair had been experiencing several symptoms of T1D for a few weeks before this day occurred. She couldn’t drink enough water and was using the bathroom constantly. Maybe this is just a “growth spurt” we thought. On that sunny day in June, we visited Mary Blair’s pediatrician, and our world was turned upside down.
It’s hard to believe that was over 6 years ago… It seems like 60! We have had many highs and lows, literally, over our years with type 1 diabetes. This disease is 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It never stops. There is no rest for the weary. However, JDRF has been such an important asset to our lives and has helped us from Day 1. We are praying that one day, Mary Blair and all the other type 1 diabetics like her will have a CURE because of this wonderful organization. We hope you will join us at the Gala for a night of fun and fellowship, but most of all to help us raise funds and awareness for T1D! We believe that JDRF is the organization that will change what it means to live with this disease and eventually deliver a cure.
These are just a few of the outcomes from your generosity over the past several years:
- More varieties in artificial pancreas pumps approved by the FDA
- Clinical trials and pending FDA approval of a therapy prolonging the development of T1D
- Human clinical trials focused on encapsulation devices and cell replacement therapies
Today, as this year’s Fund a Cure Family, we ask that you give serious consideration of a meaningful gift to be made at the event or pre-committed before ONE Night in Mississippi. If you make a pre-commitment and join us that night, we ask that you raise your paddle proudly knowing that your support is not only making a huge difference, but your action is encouraging others to do the same. If you are not able to join us that night, you can still support us and your donation will be celebrated and counted along with the others during the event.
You can make your gift online at www.jdrfonenightms.com and click on the Fund a Cure tab or mail your check to JDRF Southern States Chapter, PO Box 1560, Hagerstown MD 21741-1560. We are grateful for your commitment to a Fund a Cure gift today!
Sincerely,
The Forrest Johnson Family
2024 Fund a Cure Family
Fund A Cure is a unique opportunity for you to change the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Your 100% tax-deductible contribution will drive research toward therapies to improve their lives in the near term and one day lead to a cure. Please join us and make a difference for the millions of children and adults who live with diabetes every day.
Read a Welcome Letter from our Gala Chair, Amber Davis
Fund A Cure provides an opportunity to support JDRF funded research. With the ranges of giving levels, all donations are greatly appreciated.
All Fund A Cure donations are 100% tax-deductible.
Suggested Fund A Cure Levels:
$25,000 FAC
$20,000 FAC
$15,000 FAC
$10,000 FAC
$5,000 FAC
$2,500 FAC
$1,000 FAC
$500 FAC
$250 FAC
$100 FAC