The Leake Academy Jr. Beta has as one of its service projects to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research foundation in its "Walk to Cure Diabetes." This year the walk was held in Jackson, Mississippi, on October 23, 2004. By supporting JDRF, the Jr. Beta members are supporting local families in their search for a cure for Juvenile Diabetes. The Jr. Beta members raised over $800.00!
Cure Diabetes
Dear LA Patrons,
Exactly 1 year and 60 days ago, our family's life suddenly and dramatically changed forever. We were vacationing in Orange Beach, Alabama, and on the morning of 7/8/03, Kaitlan was placed on life support at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, Alabama. She was then transported by ambulance to the pediatric intensive care unit at the University of South Alabama Children's and Women's Hospital. Physicians told us that Kaitlan's condition was critical and that she "may not make it". We were ,also informed that her blood sugar was> 900...diagnosis Type 1 Diabetes. We prayed desperately for it to be God's will for Kaitlan to live. We knew that we could handle the shots, fingersticks, and the strict daily routine. We just wanted our Kaitlan. God answered our prayers and we were released from the hospital a week later. Upon our release from the hospital, we were relieved to be returning home, but we all felt scared and overwhelmed by this diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. After all, how were we suppose to explain to our (then 9-year-old) daughter that she would have to do fingersticks and take insulin shots for the rest of her life?
Kaitlan sticks her fingers an average of at least 6-8 times each day and takes 3-4 insulin shots everyday. Kaitlan battles this disease everyday knowing that she is at a higher risk for heart disease, kidney disease, and blindness. She understands that insulin is merely her life support and not a cure. Her vocabulary includes words like "carbs, ketones, and insulin"; words that most children don't know. However, her 7-year-old brother understands when "she's low", he runs for the apple juice or cake gel. It is so difficult knowing that organs are being damaged when her blood sugars are running high. It is just as difficult watching her when her blood sugar is low; having to hold her cup for her to drink juice because she's shaking too bad to hold it. Kaitlan is so brave. She is a 10-year-old who should be terrified of shots, but isn't. ..she only asks, "Should
I give it in my arm, stomach, or leg?" A 10-year-old who should cringe at the thought of a fingerstick, but only says, "I'll be sure to check my blood sugar before recess and basketball to make sure I'm not low." We respect her so much for the way she handles this disease...most adults would not have adjusted so well. However, we know there must be a part of her that is scared and tired of all the pricks and sticks. And we know that no matter how well she adjusts to it, no matter how hard we work to keep her sugars under control, and no matter how much we try to keep things as normal as possible...this is a terrible way for a child to live.
Like all parents of children with diabetes, we want a cure for our child. We have researched various national and local diabetes organizations. We looked at their mission and how they spend their money that they raise. We found out that most of the organizations do many good things, but the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's mission was the one we were looking for. JDRF was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with Type I Diabetes. Their mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDRF is the world's leader in funding research for Type I Diabetes. It is a non-profit organization with 85% of its funds going to research.
Another reason we have stayed active in JDRF is because of the many wonderful people we have met. The bond that parents of children with diabetes share is truly amazing. Each time we meet another parent of a diabetic child, it's as though we have known each other forever. Each morning when we're up at 2:00A.M. with Kaitlan, we know that Shaun Joyner is up with Graham, Beverly Odom is up with Preston, and Anna Holt is up with Mason. When we're together, we laugh, we cry, and we all share our constant desire for a cure. Kaitlan and John Paul also enjoy getting together with the "JDRF kids". Kaitlan can talk to someone who really understands, and John Paul can enjoy being with the other siblings; after all, he truly struggles seeing big sister's daily battle of this disease. We are truly convinced that the "F" in JDRF really stands for family.
On October 23,2004, we will be participating in the JDRF "Walk to Cure Diabetes". We will be raising money to contribute to JDRF. We truly appreciate those of you who walked with us and the many of you who made donations on behalf of Kaitlan last year. We would love for you to walk with us this year in support of Kaitlan and the many other children on Saturday, October 23,2004, at Mayes Lake at LeFleur's Bluff State Park in Jackson. Sign in begins at 9:00am and the walk begins at 1O:00am. Breakfast and lunch will be served and they will have lots of fun activities for all of the children. We are forming a walk team like last year (Kaitlan's Kool Kats). Our team had a wonderful time last year and Kaitlan was thrilled that she had family and friends there supporting her. We truly hope you will join us this year in our "Walk for a Cure". If you would like to walk with us, please let us know by Monday, October 4. We are planning to have t-shirts made up for Kaitlan's team and this will allow us time to get them ordered.
If you are unable to walk with us and would still like to make a contribution to JDRF, these donations can be made on behalf of Kaitlan. All checks should be made payable to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Donations may be given to us, as we will be forwarding all donations to JDRF, or you may send the donation directly to them (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Mississippi Chapter, 1640 Lelia Drive, Suite 130, Jackson, MS 39216). If you choose to mail a donation directly to JDRF, please be sure to note that the donation is on behalf of Kaitlan Sudduth.
Words cannot possibly express our gratitude for all of the things that each of you have done for our family. Despite all of this, we want each of you to know that God has blessed us in so many ways. He has poured out blessings on our family that are far too numerous to count. We praise God for all of these blessings. We thank God for giving us faith and the wisdom to know "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28. May God bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
