On November 15, 2021, we lost a great member of our T1D community, Carol Franco, who with her husband, were instrumental in founding a local JDRF chapter in 1973.

The Franco Family’s story begins like many we’ve heard before, excessive thirst, frequent urination, insatiable appetite, and flu like symptoms. However, in 1973, his pediatrician didn’t have the tools needed to test then 2-year-old, Christopher Franco’s, blood sugar. His mother, Carol, took him to the hospital where she was told that Christopher was in peril. Her concerns about diabetes being the cause were dismissed until she demanded her son be tested. Carol saved her son’s life that day. But their T1D story doesn’t end there. 17 years later, Carol and Salvatore’s oldest son, Michael, was diagnosed at 25. In the years between the two diagnoses, the Francos attended a JDRF event in Philadelphia, founded the Rockland County Chapter of JDRF just 4 months later, built a community for their sons, and started a legacy that we are so proud to share today.

Carol Franco fought tirelessly in pursuit of JDRF’s mission to improve the lives of her son’s and all those affected by diabetes. We are terribly saddened by Carol’s passing and out hearts go out to the Franco family.

Donations in honor of Carol can be made to JDRF here. http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/CarolFranco