Lake Villa family doing its part to wipe out diabetes

A Lake Villa family's desire to wipe out diabetes is literally a grass-roots effort.

The LoPriores are inviting folks to hang out on their lawn to eat, drink and donate money that will help find a cure for the disease afflicting their twin 8-year-old boys.

The third "A.J. and Zach Say Go Away Diabetes" fundraiser will be 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.

The backyard bash features plenty of fun games for kids, a silent auction, raffles and more. The money will be given to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The LoPriore's ordeal started when their sons, A.J. and Zach were just 4 years old. The boys are 8 years old now.

The family was getting ready to move from their home in Louisiana to Lake Villa for Ralph's new job when he noticed A.J. didn't look quite right.

"We noticed his gums were receding," LoPriore said. "It was odd. And he started to urinate in bed during the night. We though maybe it was related to stress from the move but that turned out not to be the case."

Ralph said A.J. had developed a voracious appetite as well. He said that was out of character for the little guy.

"He was eating like crazy," Ralph said. "And he was losing weight. We knew something was wrong."

They brought A.J. to the doctor who discovered A.J.'s sugar level was at the danger level.

"His blood sugar was through the roof," Ralph said. "We had to rush him to the hospital."

A.J. was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and spent days in the intensive care unit.

Not surprisingly Zachary was diagnosed with the same condition just four days later. Doctors say it's not uncommon for identical twins to both contract diabetes.

Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The cause is not understood but scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved.

As many as 3 million Americans may have type 1 diabetes. Each year more than 15,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. That's 40 children per day.

The LoPriores raised $15,000 at last year's event, which included a matching grant from Ralph's employer. The goal for this year is $20,000, LoPriore said. More than 100 people attended last year.

LoPriore said his boys lead a fairly normal life despite the need for nearly 10 daily insulin injections. As students at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Lake Villa, the boys play baseball, floor hockey and love to ride their bikes, he said.

"We could sit around and say, 'why us?,'" LoPriore said. "But now we say, 'Why not us?' We're trying to be positive and to make a difference."

For directions to the event or for more details call (847) 245-3217.