Help us make Type 1 Type None!
A letter from Maryland Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Cathy Reese and her husband Brian:
Hello everyone and thank you for taking the time to check out this webpage!
This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I was somewhat familiar with the disease—my roommate in college was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and I’ve had friends since then whose families had been dealing with it as well. But, we still weren't prepared for the day, four years ago, when our son Riley was unexpectedly diagnosed with type 1 at age 7. It was March 27 and we had just finished playing Towson University at Maryland when I was on my way home and received a call from the doctor saying that we needed to take our son to the emergency room right away. When I was told it could not wait till morning I knew our lives were forever changed.
Suddenly, our lives were turned upside-down with constant monitoring of Riley’s blood sugar, injecting him with insulin several times a day; waking up in the middle of the night to check his blood sugar; counting carbs; learning to balance insulin with eating, daily activities, and normal childhood illnesses. We slowly adjusted to our new reality and, today, Riley doesn’t let diabetes hold him back from doing anything.
He is 12 years old, wears a pump now, which helps make it easier to administer insulin, but we still prick his finger to check his blood sugar, we still wake up in the middle of the night to check his blood sugar, and we still have to balance insulin doses with eating, sports, daily activities, and common colds and the flu.
People living with type 1 diabetes look normal, act normal and eat normal food. They play sports, including MD Women’s Lacrosse. They are normal in all ways—except that they must take insulin regularly and monitor their blood sugar 24/7.
For over 45 years, JDRF has helped to make life more normal for people like Riley. JDRF’s goal is to ultimately create a world without type 1, and until a cure is found, JDRF is committed to finding tools and therapies that will keep people with type 1 healthy and safe. Thanks to JDRF’s laser focus, people with type 1 now live longer, healthier, more normal lives than they could even in 1996 when my college teammate was diagnosed.
This game is dedicated to Riley and the millions of people—adults and children—who live with type 1 every day and who work so hard to balance the disease and take care of themselves so they can do what they want and be what they want.
Together we know we can make a difference and work towards a world where type 1 is type none.
JDRF’s color is blue – and Maryland Women’s Lacrosse is working to raise awareness and money to make a difference. Thank you for taking the time to read this message and we appreciate any and all support!! Go Terps!!
Cathy & Brian Reese
Guest
6 years ago
Keep doing what your doing and stay positive!!
Guest
6 years ago
Thank you this opportunity to support such a wonderful cause!!!
Bob and Amber Sites
6 years ago
We love you, Riley! Go Terps!
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