Our daughter, Katherine, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on June 14, 2011.  It was a day that forever split our world into "before" and "after."  It changed our lives.  

She was 5 years old and summer had just begun.  I had noticed that she was going to the bathroom a lot, but figured it was hot out and she was drinking more.  She was looking thin, but I thought she had hit a growth spurt and was getting tall and would then fill out. She threw up all night on June 10 and I couldn't get it to stop so I took her to her pediatrician the next day.  I will never forget the minute of silence that followed Dr.Knorr explaining that she had lost ten pounds and was very sick as he decided what to do next.  He asked if I had noticed anything unusual recently and the only thing I could think of was the bathroom.  He then tested her blood sugar and it was too high for the meter to read.  He told me she had Type 1 Diabetes.

He suggested we call an ambulance to get her to Primary Children's Hospital, but I fought him on it- that seemed unnecessary when I could just drive her.   I didn't know how close to permanent disability and death she was.  She was in severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis and her body was shutting down.  A team waited for her in the entrance to the ER- they told me to not park my car, to just leave it at the ER doors.  I walked in with her in my arms (she couldn't walk by that point) and handed her  to the team of doctors and nurses who were waiting for her in the lobby of the ER.  

We spent several days in the ICU learning how to keep her alive at home.  No one on either side of our family has diabetes, so we knew nothing about it.  We have successfully kept her alive for twelve years now. :)  

We do this fundraiser every year to raise money for JDRF.  They are not only researching for a cure, but developing new technology to make Type 1 Diabetes easier to live with.  

We hope you enjoy our lights and thank you so very much for your donation.  You are literally changing lives.