I'll Tell You Why..

September 14, 2013
 I never really thought I needed to participate in walks to cure anything. I thought that the people who were involved already were enough. I always thought they were great causes and felt bad but that was the extent of it. These walks and donation fundraisers are so very, very important and I'll tell you why. They help raise money to find solutions, they help raise awareness, and they help you to care. I know you're probably thinking these are all very well known facts. They are, you're absolutely right, but have you ever taken the time to think about it? Have you taken the time to think about the lives these diseases take over? I never really did. I never put myself in their shoes because I was completely healthy. I've never had to deal with it and so I never took time out of my day to consider what these people are facing. Let me tell you how wrong I was.. Take the time and think about what these people are dealing with. Their everyday lives is something you could never even fathom. Everyday they aren't just worried about the weather or their jobs or drama, everyday they are fighting for their lives.

 I never really thought much of what people deal with when they have an illness until I was diagnosed with diabetes. I knew it sucked from the very beginning, I knew it'd be very hard and something I'd have to work at everyday. I took it in stride and accepted that it was just my new lifestyle. I never thought about how serious it was until I signed up for the Walk to Cure Diabetes. I never thought of how it changed other's lives until I signed up. I give myself 4 shots a day and prick my finger at least the same. I can not even imagine a little kid having to do this. Having to learn how to give themselves shots and make sure they keep an eye on their blood sugar. Having parents who have to do this for their young kids until they can for themselves. The worst being that these children don't even know any different. They don't know what it's like to not have to worry about their blood sugar or making sure they have enough insulin. That's just their life. Granted they are probably really good at managing it and it isn't really a huge life change, but there are people who do have to go through that life change.

 Diabetes is very serious.. You never really think too much about it because you don't have to. I know I never thought it was too serious before I had it. I couldn't have been more wrong. It is scary and a hard adjustment. It's something that I wouldn't wish upon anyone. Please take the time to think about these families and the people that suffer from serious illnesses and do everything you can to help them out. Donate to those jars to help cure cancer or diabetes. Take time out of your day to go to a fundraiser to help raise money. Help raise awareness by being aware yourself. Technology is evolving and we are getting smarter as a species. We should be able to fight these diseases! There is a cure out there somewhere and we all need to come together to help find it. Donating and taking time out of your schedule to go on a walk to show your support is a way to come together. I couldn't be more excited to participate in my first Walk to Cure Diabetes on September 28. I am sure this won't be my last walk or my last fundraising effort. There's so much to fight for and I won't stop helping those who can't help themselves.

 If you want to participate with me in this walk it's on September 28 at Willow Park in Logan. Registration starts at 9 and the walk is at 10. My wonderful sister-in-law has set up a team called 'Hunt for a cure'. You're welcome to sign up under this or be a virtual walker and just donate to the cause under our team name. There are many walks to cure diabetes and in many different places.
http://www2.jdrf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_homepage
That's the link to find out more information on different walks and register for this one. You can also donate on this page at any time. I am so excited to participate and I hope to see a lot of you there!