Monday, October 27, 2008

Walk for a Cure, Juvenile Diabetes





























































I know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I am a huge supporter, as my Mother is a breast cancer survivor of over 40 years. However, any of you who may have read my bio or have been following this blog for any stretch of time know that my 19 year old son Edward, has Juvenile or Type 1 Diabetes. Yesterday, in the beautiful Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI, we had our annual 'Walk for a Cure'. There were close to 6000 people ( many of our 4 legged friends as well) at the event! Walk for a Cure is an annual event which takes place throughout our nation. The goal is to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease that strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications that may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation. Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research, including more than $137 million in FY2007. In FY2007, the Foundation funded 700 centers, grants and fellowships in 20 countries.

I want to give huge thank you thank you thank you to Jenny Mello and Mary Ellen Rivet from the Rhode Island Branch for their tireless efforts to raise a ton of money for research to find a cure. Thank you is not, and will never be enough.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks like you had a great day Amy, and such a good cause too. I love the photos you posted (especially the furry top one)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, it would be fun to pop into the forums one night for comfort girly chit chat :-)

Anonymous said...

$1.16 billion!!! Wow, Amy, that's some fundraising achievement! I hope for the sake of everyone who has this illness, especially your son, that the fundraising efforts produce a cure.

As wealthy as the USA is, I was wondering how much, if any, government funding is earmarked for research.

Deb DiSalvo said...

Amy-
Kudos to you - that's awesome! We have to do everything we can for these causes! LOVE the dog photo!
Cheers,
Deb

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Christy, it was an amazing day...the weather, very questionable during the night...big wind storm, but the day turned out warm and perfect. I paint faces, and thankfully, had some college students to help this year. As of today, as a family we've raised over $5000 which is beyond what I expected, given the economy...I love the furry top one as well!!

I haven't been on the forums since the 'Handbook' days...would LOVE to chat...hmmmm

Layne, it all started w/ Mom's raising money in the 1970's for research...we will continue to do what we do w/ fund raising until a cure is found...in Rhode Island, we have met w/ State Senators to discuss a bill that has been on the Senate floor, $200 million for 5 years earmarked for research...w/ the economic crisis, I don't know where all of this stands...but, that is an excellent, and realistic question. Edward is doing great...thank you for your compassion...

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Miss Deb, you were commenting just as I was responding to Christy and Layne...it has been over the past few years just an exceptional event, and I have come to adore some of the wonderful families and kids that I have met along the way...for your brothers' sake as well, we continue to pray for a cure...the dog...did he pose for that photo or what???

Jackie said...

Wow way to go!! What a wonderful thing to do.

I think it's fantasitc and it looks like you had a ball!!:-)))

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Hey Shinade...doing the walk, being involved unfolded in the most organic way...now, I am part of this huge, loving extended family w/ one common goal..to find a cure...we continue to pray...

Jackie said...

We have many in my husband's family who are battling breast cancer too.

It is a wide spread and ugly thing. We lost our niece just two years ago at a very young age to breast cancer.

I have tagged you to join the pink sister hood. I do so hope you will join in.

http://shinade.blogspot.com/2008/10/join-pink-sister-hood.html

Blessings to you and I will keep you and your mom in my prayers.

Azure Accessories said...

Congratulations Amy!!!

It is amazing what people can do when they make a conscious decision...$1.16 billion is proof when we are passionate about something the sky is the limit!!!

Great photos...everyone looked as though they were enjoying themselves...

How is your son managing...didn't he go away to school this term??

How is your mother doing, I know from personal experience pneumonia is a stubborn illness, but it sounds as though your mother is more stubborn!! :0)

Cheers

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Heather, Edward is doing great..he was a freshman last year and did an excellent job of managing his diabetes 'on his own'...he is only 1 hour away, which is far enough and close enough all at the same time and he is at the RIGHT school...loves it...so, we breathe a big, huge sigh of relief...we have emergency people lined up, just in case and the hospitals in Boston are excellent.

Mom is the most stubborn person I know, so, yes, she's better, MUCH better, but still taking it slow...I appreciate your understanding thru your own experience...

Anonymous said...

You are the awesomest person ever! I wish we lived closer.

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Oh Gabby, I wish that we lived closer as well...we could have such fun...boo hoo...XXXXXXX