Every day's a challenge for Grayslake siblings with diabetes
Lori Isaacs is the family team chair for the Libertyville JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes.
The Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes is a yearly tradition for the Isaacs family of Grayslake. This will be our 13th walk since our two sons were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Drake, my oldest, was diagnosed at 2½ years old and is now 16. We got involved with the walk that very first year Drake was diagnosed, in 1999. It was our way of feeling that we were actively doing something to participate in finding the cure.
In 2003, our youngest son, Grant, was diagnosed, though siblings have only a 5 percent chance of getting the disease. We now had two reasons to keep fundraising to find a cure for this horrible disease.
For my boys, every day is a challenge with all they have to do to stay healthy and alive. They poke their fingers at least eight times a day to check their blood sugar. Constant monitoring of every single thing they eat, by counting the carbohydrates, is required at every birthday party, at every restaurant. Most people think that Type 1 diabetes means you just can't eat sugar or that you get the disease by eating too much sugar, which is a myth.
Drake gives himself five shots a day and Grant is on an insulin pump, but this does not stop them from being very athletic and involved in sports. However, stopping in the middle of a game is common when they feel their blood sugar dropping — not always convenient timing.
The JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes is a great way to get directly involved in fundraising to find a cure so we can have a world without Type 1 diabetes. This year, research has had great developments and we are closer than ever. JDRF puts more than 80 cents of every dollar donated toward its mission, and donations are 100 percent tax deductible.
Walk day bring together those who deal with this terrible disease every day and is incredibly rewarding. We share stories, ideas and our heartaches and tears.
JDRF Illinois makes it so easy to set up team or register to walk independently and raise money. Just click on walk.jdrf.org and you can start. Using social media is made so easy on the website to set up a fundraising page, personalized for you or your loved one. We have mentors available to guide you through the walk process and will help you with original ideas to raise money.
You also can call the main office in Chicago at (312) 670-0313 with any questions or to find the walk site closest to you.