“My daughter Mia was diagnosed with T1D on October 16, 2012. As members of the JDRF family know, this was a life changing event that put into perspective what was really important.

With almost a year under our belts, we decided in September of 2013 to form a JDRF Walk Team, Mia’s Militia, and to raise money to find a cure. At first, I started out small with a goal of $3,000. I sent a note out to my friends and family and immediately received many responses with offers of help, donations and ideas. I quickly increased my goal as I reached $3,000 within two weeks’ time! I was not only amazed at how much we raised in such a short amount of time, but I was amazed at the support I was receiving from my family, friends and acquaintances. At the end of our fundraising efforts we had raised a total of $17,100. It was beyond imaginable to me and I am still so thankful to everyone who supported our efforts.

During this time the change in my daughter Mia was remarkable. She went from being very private about her condition and getting upset if I told anyone that she had T1D, to becoming matter-of-fact about it. She realized that her friends really didn’t care she had it and just wanted to support her. She and her friends brainstormed ways to raise funds, including a lemonade stand and rainbow loom bracelet sales. They were excited to help! Her Girl Scout troop quickly jumped right in to help as well. On the day of the Walk we had 55 people join us. I will never forget the feelings I had when I looked at our team, all of us in our pink and grey t– shirts, carrying pink balloons. I realized that all of these people were there to support Mia and my family. All the people at the event were there to help find a cure. ‘We are blessed,’ I had thought to myself! This is a terrible disease, one I hate, but having experiences like these have helped my family make it through. Day by day…”

Each year, JDRF Walks bring together more than 900,000 people who raise more than $75 million for life-changing T1D research. This success is only possible because of the support, commitment, and strength of our community. To learn more about the Walk, register, or make a gift, please visit walk.jdrf.org.