Last year I did the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K walk and raised money for an excellent cause. I had planned on doing it this year as well, but had to change my plans. There are many wonderful causes that I’d love to raise money for, but I just don’t have the time or resources to do them all. That’s why I’ve decided to focus on one or two functions a year to throw my full support behind.

On October 18th, I’ll be walking in the Step Out to Fight Diabetes hosted by the American Diabetes Association. As with breast cancer, diabetes has affected several members of my family and my friends. My aunt, my mom, and several friends have been diagnosed with diabetes over the years. This year, however, I was asked to participate in the walk by Donald’s family, as his niece is living with juvenile diabetes. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in March of 2006, and has adjusted well to her daily regimen of closely monitoring her diet, testing her blood sugar frequently and giving herself multiple insulin injections, but I know that there are many days when it is very difficult for her. It’s a big burden for anyone, but especially an 11 year old. Kyla is a great kid, and I want nothing more for her than to find a cure for this disease.

So here’s where I beg for donations. If you can, please donate to our team. Every dollar counts, so anything you can afford would be phenomenal, even if it’s as little as just a dollar. And if you can’t afford to donate at this time, feel free to pass on the link to someone who might be able to. I’ve included my donation page if you’d like to donate under my name, as well as Kyla’s page if you want to donate under hers. The money goes to the same team regardless of which link you click. (Her link includes a picture of her, and you’ll note she’s far cuter than I!)

My donation page:  http://main.diabetes.org/goto/thedenora

Kyla’s donation page: http://main.diabetes.org/goto/KylaClark

Huge thanks to anyone who donates, thinks about donating, or just sends happy thoughts our way. All of us and the millions of other families and friends affected by diabetes would love to see a cure. Let Kyla’s generation be the last generation to suffer the daily struggle of a life with diabetes.