Without consistent support from dedicated, long-term contributors, it would be impossible for JDRF to continue pursuing its ambitious goals. These donors demonstrate significant commitment to our mission by generously funding JDRF and T1D research throughout their lives. This month, we recognize the MacKenzie family for their generosity over the past 28 years.  Their efforts to fund T1D research have enabled JDRF to truly make a difference in the Type 1 Diabetes community.

Mike and Sandi MacKenzie still vividly recall the day their daughter Kelly was diagnosed with T1D in April 1981. At the time, diabetes care was quite primitive; there were no insulin pumps or digital blood sugar meters, and schools were “pretty ignorant about Type 1”. As Sandi and her family adjusted to this lifestyle change, she decided to establish a support group for other T1D families in Nevada City. This network provided essential camaraderie and sharing of information to eight-year-old Kelly, her parents, and other families struggling with the burden of a new diagnosis. After this initial introduction to the T1D community, the MacKenzies eventually discovered JDRF; since then, they have made monthly contributions in hopes of propelling diabetes research more rapidly toward a cure.

Kelly is now 45, and continues to cope with the unique challenges T1D presents. Type 1 Diabetes remains an obstacle in several aspects of her life, but she has learned to create daily plans, routines, and habits that minimize these setbacks. With the help of extensive support networks like JDRF, she leads a healthy lifestyle and a successful career despite her long-term struggle with the disease. In honor of these remarkable achievements, Mike and Sandi have chosen to give back financially — and to help defeat T1D altogether:

[A cure] means everything to us and to Kelly. The treatment and tools have come a long way, but there is still progress to be made to eradicate this disease completely.

We would like to thank the MacKenzies — and all of our long-term contributors — for their remarkable support.  To join the MacKenzies, you can make a monthly or one-time gift through our website, http://www.jdrf.org/norcal  by clicking the “Donate Today” button.  Checks can also be mailed directly to our office at 950 Fulton Avenue, Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95825.

Written by: Lorena Bergstrom