Download Dear Friends and Supporters,

Dear Friends and Supporters,
My family and I are walking in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes on
(FILL IN THE DATE AND LOCATION). Over 7,000 people across
Eastern Iowa will join us this year in hopes of finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
On (DATE OF DIAGNOSIS) my (SON/DAUGHTER/MYSELF) was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone
that enables people to get energy from food. It can strike at any age, and lasts a lifetime.
No kid should have to wake up to a day of finger pricks and injections; no grown-up either. Just to
survive, (NAME) must take insulin through (SHOTS/PUMP) and test (HER/HIS) blood sugar 4 to 8
times per day. But insulin is NOT A CURE, merely life support.
Because of efforts like my family’s walk team through the support of friends like you, the JDRF has
made strides in Cure, Treatment, and Prevention therapies. These advances are life altering and bring us
a little closer to a cure every day!
 The closed loop artificial pancreas project is ready to test on outpatient children and
WILL be a reality in the next few years! This pump will automatically correct and
administer insulin and glucose without (HER/HIM) having to constantly monitor blood
sugar levels and carbohydrates. This is not a biological cure and is still most certainly a
hassle and an expense but is head and shoulders above the kind of control kids and adults
can maintain now.
 Encapsulated Islet Cells are being researched and produced by a JDRF funded NASA
scientist. These cells would create insulin and would react to (NAME) food/exercise
habits and would essentially rid (HER/HIM) of diabetes. Periodic replacement would be
required but would still be a miracle for us!
 Smart Cells, recently acquired by a huge pharmaceutical company, is close to releasing
glucose sensitive insulin. “Smart Insulin” is administered once a day and will only take
into affect if (NAME) eats carbohydrates. Any unused smart insulin would be flushed by
the body at the end of the day, only to be replaced the next morning with the SINGLE
shot of insulin!
So now I’m asking for your help. Join in our fight against diabetes by walking with us on walk day, or
graciously donating to (TEAM NAME). We appreciate any donation; no amount is too big or small.
You can register to walk with us, or donate by going to www.walk.jdrf.org and searching for our team.
There are no words to express how thankful we are for the support we
have received throughout the years. We won’t give up hope; we WILL be
known as the people who cured diabetes!
Forever thankful,
(NAME)
(YOUR CHILD’S PHOTO)