Has it been 5 1/2 years of having Type 1 Diabetes already?? As many of you know, I was diagnosed with T1D ONE month before my high-school graduation and heading off to the University of Georgia. Looking back, I don't think I really had time to process what I was dealing with before I was headed off into "adulthood" (and UGA's Bolton Dining Hall). Lucky for me, I have friends and family who have reminded me to check my blood sugar, grabbed me a juicebox when I was too low to ask, calculated then given me a shot of insulin because they wanted to be prepared in case I couldn't do it on my own, given me a shoulder to cry on when I just couldn't wrap my head around this crazy disease, and have encouraged me to get involved. Special shoutout to Laura, Mary and Barry Gillespie for that first hospital visit after diagnoses, encouraging me to volunteer with Camp Kudzu and always being a resource to my family and I; Morgan Sillay for introducing yourself during sorority rush when you saw me checking my blood sugar (which was the first time I had EVER checked my blood sugar in a public place), loaning me test strips because I didn't refill my prescription in time, and later on, encouraging me to get involved with JDRF's Young Leadership Committee; and of course my parents for making sure I have the best tools available for being healthy, understanding when even the best tools aren't enough for this disease, and continuing to learn and ask questions with me. 

 I am proud to be part of ONE Group and help raise money for JDRF to cure, treat and prevent Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). We are a group of young professionals, each who have been nominated, 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). Thanks to my parents, I have the privilege to wear an insulin pump, the pager- looking device with a tube that sits on my hip, AND a continuous glucose monitor, the device that you will mostly see inserted on the back of my arm. Together, it makes me a) partially a robot and b) able to safely measure my blood sugar and give myself the appropriate insulin. 

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. My initial goal is to raise $3,000 before the ONE Party. 

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!