Hi everyone!
The fact that you clicked on the link from your email or Facebook is truly an honor. Down below you will find JDRF's mission and plan to cure T1D, but let me tell you about my story and mission. Some of you may know my story already and you can now skip down to the second paragraph ;) I was diagnosed at 25 years old after losing 18 pounds in the matter of a few weeks. I thought it was awesome at first, but then other symptoms started creeping in (EXTREME thirst, blurry vision, fatigue, frequently getting up at night to use the restroom). These altogether started to scare me and I told my mom I thought I had diabetes. Now, lets face it, I'm a hypochondriac as it is, so she shrugged and said go to the doctor. I did just that and found out the next day that I was diabetic. A few weeks later I found an endocrinologist that enrolled me in a clinical study to stop my immune system from killing off my insulin-producing islet cells. We believe, 5 years later, that the drug was successful and that I am still producing some of my own insulin from those saved islet cells, which is incredible.
My mission with JDRF is obviously to help raise money for research, but thinking more big picture to get these types of life altering treatments to those diagnosed, scared, and most likely alone on this island (P.S.: this island view is not very picturesque, but it is what you make it). So please, humble me even more by donating to my page and JDRF, or come join me at the party on November 12th! Don't forget to purchase tickets.
Jess