Yet, Dad has never let diabetes get in the way of living his life. some of the devastating complications of diabetes happening to a man that I admire and love. …
The following is an example of a letter that can be sent to potential
walkers:
Dear friends and family:
It has been nearly 26 years since my father, Gordon Hunter, was diagnosed
with Juvenile Diabetes Many of you who know my dad would never know that
he suffers from a disease that TRIES to dictate his life His daily routine
is regimented with 2 insulin shots, 5 blood sugar tests, an insulin pump
that continually delivers insulin to him and a low carbohydrate diet Since
being diagnosed in 1976, Dad has given to himself approximately 18,980
shots - sure makes me feel like a chicken when I complain about a tetanus
shot every 10 years Five years ago Dad went on the insulin pump, a device
that improved his ability to control his blood sugars I will never forget
my 21st birthday, the first birthday that Dad was on the pump and the first
time in 21 years that he ate a piece of birthday cake I cried
Yet, Dad has never let diabetes get in the way of living his life A star
softball coach, a pestering tennis teacher, an encouraging academic
supporter notice I didnt say example, a focused Tarheel fan, a gracious
friend, an adoring husband and an understanding and compassionate father,
Dad
takes pride in every aspect of his life So, you can see why it pains
me to think about some of the devastating complications of diabetes
happening to a man that I admire and love
For those of you who are not familiar with diabetes, it is a disease that
shuts down the natural pancreas-driven production of insulin, a hormone
necessary to regulate blood sugar levels It is not caused by obesity Have
you ever seen an ounce of fat on Gordo? or by eating excess sugar In
fact, the causes are not entirely known Insulin injections provide life
support for a diabetic, but they do not prevent the insidious complications
from diabetes such as kidney disease, heart failure, blindness and
amputation For this reason, we hope, pray, work, and WALK for a cure
Please join me and my family on October 20th at the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes in Atlanta For 26 years we have
hoped for a cure for diabetes - we realize that diabetes research is at a
crucial juncture and we must take an active role in this fight While
research has come a long way since Dad was first diagnosed, I cannot
imagine how wonderful his life would be without diabetes On behalf of my
dad, I would like
to make a personal plea for a tax deductible contribution
to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation And, if you can join us on
our walk team, Hunters for a Cure, we would be honored
Fondly,
Mebane Pulliam
Checks payable to JDRF are acceptable and can be mailed to my parents home
so that we can turn them in under Gordons name and the Hunters for a Cure
walk team Thank you so very much
Source:aap.org
