Five years ago, our lives forever changed. Our son Sam, then an 8-year-old boy, was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We recall seeing our child on the hospital bed and having a distinct understanding – that our lives would never be the same – but also that this diagnosis would not set our family back.

We left the hospital that day with a completely different child and were unsure of how exactly to care for him. It was a very overwhelming and scary feeling. But we aren’t alone. There are millions of people like Sam who experience the burdens of this disease 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the five years since his T1D diagnosis, we have gained the most invaluable resource for our family: the JDRF community.

JDRF’s ultimate goal is curing T1D. But until this is accomplished, they continue to work to help Sam and all people with T1D live healthier lives. And while we have made progress in how we manage this disease, there is still so much more work to be done. One thing is for certain: it’s not a matter of if a cure will happen, it’s a matter of when. This is the power of progress.

As the Fund A Cure family at this year’s JDRF Illinois One Dream Gala, it is our hope that the community will come together to raise $16,000,000. Your gift will keep research progress moving forward. Please join us in supporting JDRF and make a Fund A Cure donation today. You can listen to more of Sam’s story in this short video:

You make it possible for Sam and people like him to live full and healthy lives. While our family hopes for a day when Sam can live free from T1D, we know he will strive to be the same kid as before – a kid who loves hockey, throwing a baseball with his siblings, and hanging out with his friends. Your support will enable our vision to become a reality; a world without type 1 diabetes.

From our family, thank you,

Brian and Emilee Wolfe

P.S. We look forward to sharing more of our family’s story with you on December 9 at the One Dream Gala! Join us for a fantastic evening, featuring a concert with the Goo Goo Dolls, by purchasing a table today.