Page 5 - JDRF Journey for T1D Program Book 2021

HOS T F AMILY

Welcome to Journey for T1D 2021

Dear JDRF Friends,

When our son Billy was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on Christmas Day 2018, we had no idea how our
lives would change. At 13 years old, Billy was old enough to take the lead managing his disease. His adaptability
and resilience inspire us. Over time, he transitioned to using some amazing technology that has helped simplify
things in his daily T1D management, but it has been a journey.
Regulating sugar levels for Billy in the middle of growth spurts, sports, and adjusting to high school (complicated
further by the pandemic) was challenging. We were all exhausted, not just from waking multiple times each night,
but also from the stress of managing school and work on too little sleep.

When I received an invitation to a JDRF Research Update, I wondered if I could fit in another commitment and
whether it could make a difference for our family. I made it a priority to attend the presentation, and yes, it made
all the difference.
There, I met a woman who’s been managing her type 1 diabetes for more than 50 years. I learned just how
complicated this disease is, and how far we’ve come over those same 50 years, thanks to brilliant researchers,
tireless volunteer advocates, and generous donors.

It was a community I had never expected to become a part of.
JDRF researchers are at an inflection point in their quest for cures, where several avenues to advancement are
transitioning from testing in labs on animals to testing in real life on humans. It’s an understandably expensive shift
that we must make a priority.
JDRF is the world’s leading funder of research to prevent, treat and cure T1D and we are proud to lead the charge
to raise much needed funds for T1D research through Fund A Cure.

Our family thanks you for joining us in this quest for cures at the JDRF Journey for T1D on Thursday, October 21
at Frutig Farms. It’s the very first time that our local T1D community will join since March 2020, when the
pandemic precluded in-person events.

You have the opportunity to donate directly to research and fund the science that will one day transform the lives
4 of our son Billy and millions more, so that T1D doesn’t have to be their forever diagnosis. Thank you for your
support.

Warmly,
Shahnaz Broucek

4 4 5