I am proud to be part of ONE Group and help raise money for JDRF to cure, treat and prevent Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) through the ONE Group. We are a group of young professionals supporting this mission: helping the 3 million Americans with T1D fight this disease and get closer to finding a cure!

You may not be totally familiar with T1D. Contrary to popular belief, T1D has nothing to do with diet and lifestyle, and there's nothing anyone can do to prevent it, or get rid of it. Put simply, T1D is when your body stops producing insulin (the hormone that gives people energy from food). Currently, the best treatment is for people with T1D to give themselves insulin shots multiple times throughout the day and to constantly check their blood sugar to ensure it stays in balance.

Let me take the time to tell you a little bit about my personal story with type 1 diabetes. Since January 30, 2013 I have endured around 16,600 finger sticks, 552 insulin pump site changes, 1,400 insulin shots and who knows how many juice boxes my gracious husband has gotten for me as I battle low blood sugars throughout the day/night. The most important aspect about my battle with diabetes is that I don't get a break from diabetes for even one second out of the day. Type 1 diabetes is a 24/7 disease where I'm constantly thinking about my next steps in order to survive another day.

I've had many struggles with type 1 diabetes over the past few years, but with everything in life, there's a silver lining in all things that we do. Through diabetes, I have been able to pursue a career goal I never would have imagined prior to diagnosis. Currently, I am a Registered Dietitian, pursing my certification as a Diabetes Educator, which would allow me to educate, inspire and provide empathy for those families who are in similar situations that we can thrive with this disease. Most people can't say that they hope eventually their careers phase out and are no longer needed, but I can say that one day I hope that there are no need for diabetes educators as we hope to find a cure through continuing research.

Please join me and help support JDRF, the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, find a cure! You can donate today or I would love if you could join me at The ONE Party on November 15th (or both!), at American Spirit Works. Tickets are $75 per person or $125 for VIP and there will be cocktails, delicious food, music and dancing. Plus, the proceeds will go towards JDRF's efforts, so it's a party you can feel really good about celebrating.

If you can't make it to the party, you can donate online here or write a check. Please make checks payable to JDRF and include my name in the memo portion. You can mail checks to:

3525 Piedmont Road NE, Bldg 6, Ste 300

Atlanta, GA 30305

Thank you for your support!