photo by Jill A. Brown
Over the last few years I’ve developed a friendship with a wonderful woman named Joann, and in the process, I’ve come to know her amazing daughter. As Joann and I became friends, she began to open up to me about her daughter Taylor.
Taylor seemed like any normal kid – funny, silly, cute, loves to dress up dolls, etc – except for two things…she is extraordinarily compassionate, and she suffers from Type 1 diabetes.
A Tragedy Relived:
Taylor was only 4 years old when she was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes, and as you can imagine, it was a difficult time for the entire family! I asked Joann to describe what went through her mind during this time:
She just laid so motionless when we went to the hospital. They gave her an IV to start fluids. Her blood sugar was almost 900 when we got to the hospital. The normal blood sugar should be between 80 and 180.
As she laid in the hospital bed I felt so helpless. No parent wants to see their child sick.
It was 3 weeks from hell and then in the hospital for a week learning everything like foods she can eat and how to give needles. We have sure come a long way. I cry thinking about it!! Its the worst feeling in the world as being a parent. 🙁
As you can imagine, this was difficult for her to write about. Taylor is now 8 years old, and must receive 4 shots of insulin each day!
A Compassionate Heart Revealed:
Here’s where Taylor’s extraordinary compassion kicked it. Each year since her diagnosis, Taylor with her family and friends have participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) walk to cure Diabetes. She sets a goal to raise money to find a cure – not only for her, but for all other children afflicted with this disease.
However, she didn’t just stop there. One of the first things that I noticed about Taylor is her beautiful, long, curly, blond hair. Of course, I asked her a for small piece of her hair (as a joke…don’t think I’m weird 😎 ), and she told me no, because she was growing it in order to donate it to Locks of Love – an organization that provides hair pieces to children who have lost their hair due to a medical condition or treatment.
So, about two weeks ago Taylor’s cousin sponsored a Cut-a-thon to raise money for the Susan G. Koman Foundation (details below). Taylor decided to participate so she could raise money for Breast Cancer Research, AND donate her hair to Locks of Love! Here is a picture of her getting her hair cut below:
Also, by the time you read this she will have participated in her annual walk to raise money for JDRF! That’s 3 charities in 14 days!! Keep in mind that she’s only 8 years old!!!
A Chance to Make a Difference:
Ok, so far we’ve looked at the difference that Taylor and her family is making. Now it’s our turn. Below is a letter that Joann sent out to her friends inviting them to walk with, and donate on behalf of Taylor in her fight against Juvenile Diabetes. Since you will not have the opportunity to walk, please consider making a donation, AND forwarding this article on to everyone you know!
Please be sure to include “KNS Financial” somewhere in the comments section of the donate page, so Taylor can know how many of my readers gave their support (yes, she really does read every comment)! Here is Joann’s letter:
Dear Friends,
My daughter Taylor became a Diabetic when she was 4 years old. This will be our 4th year in taking part in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s walk to cure Diabetes. She is very proud of this walk. The walk is at Rutgers University, Cook Campus in New Brunswick on Sunday, October 24, 2010. The walk is right around the corner and will be here quickly.
Taylor, my family and I will proudly be walking as “Taylor’s Team” with our high hopes that one day they will find a cure to help her as she grows up with this illness. She needs to get 4 shots a day. She is such a strong little girl and very brave when she gets her needles. Taylor just turned 8 in September. Diabetes is manageable but it’s not always easy. As she is growing so does the amount of insulin she is required to take.
Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes, is a devastating disease that affects millions of people – a large and growing percentage of them are children.
Please make a donation for Taylor and help Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation find a cure. I have added the link to Taylor’s page below. I thank you and really appreciate any support you can give.
You can make a donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message [or any of the dozen that I (Khaleef) have included in this article 😉 ].
Even though Taylor has her own struggles everyday with Diabetes, she is always looking for ways to help others! On Sunday, October 10th, Taylor participated in a Cut-a-thon for Breast Cancer Research for the Susan G. Koman Foundation at For Pete’s Sake Hair Salon in Edison. On top of that, Taylor donated 11 1/2 inches of her hair to Locks of Love.
Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Her family is so proud of her for always trying to help others and for participating in such great causes. The attached photo is Taylor along with her cousin, Denise Spearnock-Lettini, owner of For Pete’s Sake.
Thank you for supporting this great cause that means so much to Taylor and my family to find a cure.
A very sincere thank you!
Joann
The picture on Taylor’s JDRF page was from our walk last year. Thank you in advance for your generous donation.
One thing I must note is that even though it’s too late to participate in the walk, it is not too late to donate. Just click any of the “JDRF” or “donate” links above and make your contribution. Also, don’t forget to include “KNS Financial” in your comments so we all can know how wonderful you guys really are!
I almost failed to mention that every dime donated to JDRF is 100% tax deductible (depending on your tax situation, of course).
Thank you so much for your support! Maybe I’ll have Taylor write a guest post updating you on our progress and letting you know how much she appreciates all of you!
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or if you want to donate by check.
