Tips For Hosting a Fundraiser

Every fall, my family and friends gather to participate in the JDRF OneWalk to support type 1 diabetes. My youngest daughter Harper was diagnosed with type 1 in February 2014, and we've been walking as a team since October 2014. JDRF is a cause that we hold close and dear to our hearts. Sometimes, it can feel difficult to know how to support causes that you’re not directly involved in. But there’s always a way to help and often that can involve raising money or funds of some sort.

The charity, cause or other good movement that you donate to will be able to use donated cash to achieve their goals - no matter what they are. It could go towards research, raising awareness, or anything else that will help. While donating directly is great, you can actually raise more money by having a fundraiser. This, of course, will require a fair amount of work and effort. But all in all, it’s worth it when you see the difference the proceeds make! Here are a few suggestions that will help you to set up your own fundraiser and get started in the right direction!

Decide On a Charity or Cause

First, you need to settle on what kind of fundraiser you’re going to hold. What charity or cause do you want to support? Will it be something local? Perhaps a local school needs new resources. A local dogs home might need new kennels. Will it be something more global? A charity to raise awareness and tackle social injustices around the world. A climate change cause. The options are endless. But if you choose one that you are passionate about, you will in turn be more passionate about raising money to support the cause.

Decide on Your Fundraising Event

Next, you need to decide what kind of event you’re going to hold. There are so many different ideas out there. It doesn’t have to be something completely innovative. The classic fundraising ideas work well! You could host a fair with games, Jumping Castle Rental, BBQs, and competitions. You could hold a music event with bands and DJs playing. Often bands and DJs are willing to give you a discount since it's for a charity event. Be sure to inquire. You could even do a charity auction. The list goes on.

Secure a Location

Once you’ve decided what you want to do, you need to secure a venue or location where you can host the event. Consider how many people will be in attendance and ensure that your venue can accommodate them. Consider ease to get to the location - easy to reach places will have a higher attendance rate than remote and difficult to access locations. Make it affordable or ask the owner whether they’d let you use the venue for free because the event is for charity.

Collaborate with Brands and Companies

A lot of brands and companies will sponsor a charity event and match donations raised or offer a lump sum donation. Your workplace may do something similar! This can really help to boost proceeds and help the charity or good cause you’re supporting even more!

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Ways To Give Back on #GivingTuesday

Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to giving back to make a positive impact in our communities and our world.

Since 2014, we have been supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in hope of a cure for our daughter Harper who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in February 2014.

Millions of people with T1D—and the families who love them—are hoping for a cure. Advances funded by JDRF, such as the artificial pancreas system and encapsulated cell replacement therapy, are bringing us closer to the day when we can defeat this terrible disease. You can learn more about advances being made in the quest for a cure for type 1 diabetes at JDRF.org.

This holiday season, as you embrace the season of gift giving, consider giving to your favorite charity. The smallest gift can make the biggest impact for someone suffering from a disease or illness or someone without a home or food.

It can be a challenge deciding which causes and charitable organizations to support. There are so many that are worthy of our time and contributions. Sifting through them can be overwhelming. In addition to JDRF, here are a few charities that I support on #GivingTuesday and throughout the year.

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Bed Wetting: A Common Sign and Symptom of Type 1 Diabetes

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes is, "How did you know?"

The honest answer is "I didn't". I mean, I didn't know exactly what was wrong with her, but I knew definitively that something was wrong. We may not always be completely in tune with our children, but as parents, we know when something isn't right. I had that feeling with Harper, and when it kept getting stronger rather than waning, I knew it was time to do something about it.

Type 1 diabetes often goes misdiagnosed due to the symptoms being similar to those of the flu. Many pediatricians dismiss it as the flu and send patients home to wait out the symptoms. When type 1 diabetes goes undiagnosed, the condition worsens quickly and can be fatal.

In Harper's case, there were obvious physical changes and some less apparent emotional ones too. But the signs were all there, and we made particular note of each and everyone of them so that when we arrived at our pediatrician's office, we were able to articulate them clearly.

The most obvious symptom we noticed was bed wetting. Harper was 8 years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and she had long been potty trained. You can imagine how concerning it was to discover that she started wetting the bed after 5 years.

At first we brushed off the bed wetting thinking that maybe she had too much to drink the night prior. Then we eliminated drinks after 7 pm on most nights. But still, she continued to wet the bed even after we took drastic measures.

The bed wetting was taking an emotional toll on Harper. She was feeling embarrassed and fearful of ruining her bed. I headed to my Walmart Neighborhood Market® to grab a box of GoodNites®, bedtime pants. Not only did GoodNites® keep the bed dry, but they also restored my daughter's confidence. GoodNites® feature a 5-layer protection system to help protect against overnight accidents. The insert and leak guards provide additional wetness support.

GoodNites® are available in two different sizes to accommodate the big kids and feature super stretchy sides to keep your child comfortable all night long. GoodNites® offer zoned protection to keep girls dry where they need it most.

Harper has attended sleepovers with confidence knowing that she won't wet a friend's bed when she's wearing GoodNites®. She packs one discreetly in her overnight bag and puts it on when she changes into her pajamas. For us, GoodNites® have been a lifesaver. They've been the difference between worrying all night long and soundly sleeping know that Harper will be dry and protected through the night.

I love how the GoodNites® in the larger size don't feature a juvenile design. At this age, girls want GoodNites® to be more representative of their age and their interests. The packages that we have purchased in the past feature age-appropriate designs such as hearts and butterflies.

Today, two and half years after she was initially diagnosed, the bed wetting has ceased for the most part. But there are still occasions where Harper could possibly wet the bed. If she has a blood sugar spike during the middle of the night, it could cause her to wet the bed. So, we are careful to keep a stash of GoodNites® on hand at all times.

Some nights we place GoodNites® on Harper's nightstand in the event that her blood sugar is high at bedtime. This way, if she is prepared.

Because testing blood sugar can sometimes be a messy process, I keep a supply of Huggies® Wipes within arm's reach. They help to clean up small messes and spills as well as overactive finger pricks.

Visit you local Walmart Neighborhood Market® to pick up a box of GoodNites® for your big kid. In addition to Walmart's low prices, save even more by downloading a coupon for GoodNites®.

If you have a toddler, you can download a coupon for Pullups® or if you have a baby in the house, download a coupon for Huggies® diapers.

Shop your nearest Walmart Neighborhood Market® for all your baby, toddler, and child care needs at low prices that you can only expect from a Walmart Supercenter.

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Two Years: Living With Type 1 Diabetes

Today marks the two year anniversary since Harper was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. These two years have been filled with many highs and lows (no pun intended). We've had good days and bad days, and we've found a new normal.

Harper's first meal, post-diagnosis, in the hospital

There are so many things that come back to me when I recall that day. It's still a very vivid memory, and I can't imagine a day when it won't be. Everything from what I was wearing to what Harper was wearing to the nurse who helped us check in. I can clearly recall almost every second of it.

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We Walked To Turn Type 1 Diabetes Into Type None

This year was the second year we participated in the JDRF One Walk, a walk that supports fundraising efforts to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. The walk was held in Avon-By-The-Sea, New Jersey and attracts thousands of walkers who share a connection to type 1 diabetes.

The energy is electric and infectious. And being surrounded by others who share this disease is a comfort in some way. It reassures me that Harper is not alone in her battle. It's a day that's dedicated to Harper and the strength and bravery that she displays on a daily basis, even when she's completely burned out.

We had a wonderful team this year and awesome team t-shirts. The weather was gorgeous, and we had a fun post-walk celebration.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day.

For more information about the JDRF One Walk, click here.

To make a donation to Harper's Heroes, click here.

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One Year With Type 1 Diabetes

Meeting major milestones is a rite of passage for childhood. We look forward to a first smile, a first tooth, a first step, and so many more. We blissfully record them in a baby book and look forward to the day we share those memories with our children.

It was one year ago today that Harper was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Not exactly your typical childhood milestone, but it is one never the less. It's a day that I'll never forget.

There isn't one detail about that day that doesn't still hold a vivid place in my memory. From the slight appearance of Harper's malnourished body that morning to the hesitation in the pediatrician's voice when she gave us the news to the hope in the endocrinologist's voice when we arrived at the hospital.

The wave of emotions I felt from the beginning of the day to the day's end are coming crashing back at me today as I recall the events of the day. From sadness to nervousness to anxiousness to fright to eventual relief, it was, to say the least, a roller coaster kind of day.

Today, we celebrate. Yes, I use the word celebrate because it is cause for celebration. Diabetes is not an easy disease to manage. It requires constant attention and a daily, hour by hour commitment, sometimes minute by minute.

Over the past year, Harper has attended countless birthday parties, two sleepovers, played sports, gone to amusement parks, celebrated Easter and Halloween all while successfully managing her diabetes.

I'm not going to lie. It hasn't always been a picnic. There have been days when both she and I were burned out. The finger pricking, carb counting, and insulin injections can get really old really fast. But for as many bad days, there are even more good ones where her blood sugar levels are almost too good to be true. There are days when she wakes up and happily takes her blood sugar without my having to nag ask.

There are days where the stars align and numbers fall into place. There are also days where I am pulling my hair out in frustration because we can't seem to get her numbers into her target range. It's not black and white. Diabetes is filled with gray areas. What may work one day may not the next. It's very challenging.

I've gone to bed in tears some evenings wondering why this has happened to Harper. As much as I try not to ask myself that question, it's hard not to think about it from time to time. But I have to believe that she is destined to do great things because of her diabetes. Whether she becomes an advocate for research or becomes a health care provider, I know she'll use her diabetes to help others.

And so, today, we will celebrate with cake (and a few extra units of insulin!) and hugs, and a wish for another successful year with diabetes. And of course, we will celebrate the support of our family and friends who have been by our side as we navigate the ever-changing path that is type 1 diabetes.

xx

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Giving Back on #GivingTuesday

Today is #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to giving back to make a positive impact in our communities and our world.

This year, this day has new meaning for our family. It's our first year supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in hope of a cure for our daughter Harper who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in February 2014.

Millions of people with T1D—and the families who love them—are hoping for a cure. Advances funded by JDRF, such as the artificial pancreas system and encapsulated cell replacement therapy, are bringing us closer to the day when we can defeat this terrible disease.

This holiday season, as you embrace the season of gift giving, consider giving to your favorite charity. The smallest gift can make the biggest impact for someone suffering from a disease or illness or someone without a home or food.

If you don't have a favorite charity, my friend Sarah has a few suggestions for worthy causes that are so deserving of your donations. Whatever you choose to give and to whichever charity you choose to give, your donation will make a difference.

You can learn more about advances being made in the quest for a cure for type 1 diabetes at  JDRF.org.

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Life Lately: JDRF Walk To Cure Diabetes ~ 2014

Yesterday was the 2014 Jersey Shore JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes in Avon-By-The-Sea, New Jersey. I was a little late getting on board since this was our first year participating in the walk, but I pulled off putting a team together.

And...the best part is our team, Harper's Heroes, raised $1,620 towards finding a cure for type 1 diabetes! THANK YOU if you donated, if you walked, if you sent an encouraging message.

Thank you. Thank you!

I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of how crowded the walk would be. This is the first year that the walk was combined to include 2 counties. Once we arrived and navigated the crowd to find the registration tent, things went smoothly. We checked our team in and grabbed a few t-shirts.

It was crowded, but the crowd was so excited. Everyone was so pumped and thrilled to be part of such a worthy cause. And when you see the type 1 diabetics walking around proudly wearing their blue ribbons, you can't help but to feel empowered. Empowered to help change the future landscape of juvenile diabetes.

My little hero wearing her blue ribbon

We had an awesome team comprised of friends and family. Here's a shot of everyone huddled together to stay warm at the starting line.

Harper's Heroes 2014

The walk was 2.32 miles and took place on the boardwalk or beach, where the kids preferred to walk. The energy was infectious. I loved seeing all the creative team t-shirts. We've already starting planning our tee for next year's walk.

Type 1 diabetes is a disease that requires the support of everyone around you, and it was definitely obvious at this walk that there is plenty of support and commitment in the community. I feel fortunate to have a fantastic team of people supporting Harper and our family.

Harper after crossing the finish line

A finish line celebration

Official team photo (minus a few members)

For more information about JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) or to donate or find a walk near you, click here.

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Let's Chat: Surviving a Sleepover With Diabetes

I am sitting here alone in the dark in the wee hours of the morning. It's been a long time since I've
been awake this early. Many people like this time of the day, but on this particular day, the house is eerily quiet and dark.

I spent most of the night tossing and turning, constantly distracted. You see, last night was my daughter's very first sleep over since having been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last February. Since her diagnosis, we haven't spent one night apart. I haven't been ready to relinquish control, and she hasn't been ready to take on the responsibility of managing her diabetes, even if for only a 15 hour period.

Diabetes doesn't take a break for sleepovers or for playdates. It's one of the most difficult chronic medical conditions to manage. And when you are asking an 8 year old to assume full responsibility of her diabetes management while you are apart is a slippery slope. Pizza, snacks, cake, candy, cookies...oh, the possibilities.

I had visions in my head of what could happen, and they weren't of sugarplums dancing. While I conjured up all the worst scenarios, she was eagerly anticipating her first sleepover in almost a year. We had a long chat an hour before I was to drop her off. We discussed the "rules", the best practices for parties. All this party protocol has become old hat to us. We've been through it so many times in almost 8 months that we no longer need books for finding carb counts or calculators to compute insulin dosages. But this time was different. I wouldn't be there to help her.

I took a deep breath and dropped her off. I couldn't get the image of a mama bird pushing her baby bird out of the nest for its first flight. Off she went.

I spent the next few hours staring at the clock, watching the seconds tick by. Finally at midnight, she called to tell me that she was going to sleep. She'd give herself her long-acting insulin shot for the night, and she'd call me in the morning.

Now the real worrying began. The nights can be brutal when you are the parent of a type 1 diabetic. If their blood sugar drops to an unsafe level, they aren't awake to recognize the symptoms and recover quickly from low blood sugar. I frequently check her blood sugar randomly during her sleeping hours. At sleepovers that is not a possibility.

At bedtime her blood sugar was 239. Although she was well above her target of 150, she was not at an unsafe high. I felt that her blood sugar would be OK over night. It wouldn't fall into an unsafe low, causing her to pass out.

I tried to sleep. I did manage a few restless hours. I was anxious for this morning to come. And now. Here I sit playing the waiting game. Waiting for her to wake up. Waiting for her to call me.

Waiting for her to come home and tell me about all the fun she had at her first sleep over since becoming a type 1 diabetic.

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Living With Type 1 Diabetes :: Hitting The 6 Month Mark

Yesterday marked the 6 month anniversary of Harper's type 1 diabetes diagnosis. While there have been days when it seems like diabetes has always been a part of our lives, there have also been days when it seems we've just begun this battle.

I'll never get used to the roller coaster ride that is type 1 diabetes. The constant struggle to maintain a healthy blood sugar is a daily challenge. Looking back, I now realize that Harper's first few months post-diagnosis were a walk in the park since she was in a "honeymoon" phase.

Her honeymoon phase is starting to end, and her body is no longer producing residual insulin. The past month has been a battle. Constant monitoring of blood sugar levels, sometimes on an hourly basis. Calls to the endocrinologist on a weekly basis to adjust insulin dosages. Adjusting insulin to accommodate fluctuating blood sugar levels. It's been a lot of ups and downs.

It's been 6 months of on-going education. Every day we seem to learn something new about this complex disease and how it specifically affects Harper.

And then there's diabetes burnout. No one tells you about this in the hospital, but it's very real. The days you wake up and don't want anything to do with diabetes. It happens to the diabetic, and it happens to the caretakers. This disease can be draining on everyone involved. There isn't a moment in the day that I don't think about diabetes and what affect is it having on Harper. And I always seem to be giving a shot or calculating carb counts or replenishing diabetic supplies or calling the insurance company.

Most days I know we will be OK, that type 1 diabetes is manageable and controllable. But there are other days when I look at Harper and feel an overwhelming sadness for her. She's been handling this like a trooper, but I can see in her eyes that some days she wants to go back to the way she used to be. She wants to be carefree about her eating. She doesn't want to stop in the middle of what she's doing to check her blood sugar.

Everything seems so calculated now. What time will she eat? How much will she eat? When will her insulin peak? At times, I wonder if we will ever really get used to this life.

I know we will, but that day seems so far in our future. So for now, we will continue on our path, guiding each other and keeping each other, especially Harper, from veering too far off the trail.

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Yes. Type 1 Diabetics Can Attend Birthday Parties

What? My daughter isn't invited to the party because she can't have sugar?

And you know this...how???

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to diabetes. One of the most common is that diabetics are not permitted to have sugar. While diabetics do need to closely monitor their sugar intake and be aware of what foods cause a rise in blood sugar, they do not have to forego sugar altogether.

My daughter was recently excluded from a birthday party for having diabetes. At least that's my assumption. I can think of no other logical reason since most of her other female classmates were included.

While I don't expect everyone who comes in contact with my daughter to know or understand the ins and outs of dealing with this complex medical condition, I do expect everyone to have some compassion. We try very hard as a family to keep life as normal as we possibly can for Harper. Whenever possible we allow her the same freedoms that any other child has. She goes to playdates, participates in sports, enjoys ice cream on a hot day, eats cupcakes and other treats when celebrating a friend's birthday. The only difference is that she does it all with the help of insulin injections.

Children with type 1 diabetes are painfully aware of how different they are from their peers. The constant monitoring of their blood sugar and the trips to the nurses office throughout the day for carb counting and insulin injections make it difficult to forget that you are not like the others.

So, when my husband and daughter and I strive to create normalcy for Harper and in a matter of moments another parent rips that normalcy away and reminds my child that she is indeed not in the majority, I take offense to that kind of treatment. It's unnecessary, and it's irresponsible.

A child with a medical condition whether it's an allergy, diabetes, or some other handicap, should be treated just as any other child. Invite everyone to the party, and allow the parents to make the final call on whether the child will attend.

If you are in doubt, contact the parents. I can tell you that a phone call from a concerned or inquiring parent is a touching gesture. It shows me that you care enough about my child to reach out to me.

It's the responsible thing to do. It's the kind thing to do.

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Let's Chat {Random Ramblings}

Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, tea, whatever you fancy, and let's catch up.

It's been a trying few weeks here, but I feel as if the fog is lifting.

Most of you know, but in case you haven't stopped by in a while, my youngest daughter Harper who is 8 was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes almost 3 weeks ago. You can read about how we found out and what we learned from her diagnosis.

We are slowly easing into new routines and all that comes with a life with diabetes. In fact, just the other day, Emma said she forgets life pre-diabetes and that it seems as if we have always been giving Harper her insulin injections. Of course, easy for her to say. She's not the one meticulously counting carbs and administering the shots.

But, it's true. Sometimes when you are forced into a new life, you quickly forget about the old one. You have no choice but to abandon the old one and make room for the new one.

Now that the dust has started to settle, I am going to reach out to other type 1 parents who friends have recommended. I'm excited to make some connections and talk to others in the trenches.

I'm also hoping to get back to a normal blogging schedule. I miss blogging on a daily basis. I've been taking some time off from blogging so that I can research type 1 diabetes. There is so much to learn and to know, and most days it seems as if I'll never have a handle on all this knowledge. But each day, I block out some time to either do some online research or to read one of the books we were given in the hospital.

Today she has a stomach virus. Diabetes is even more difficult to manage when you are ill. So, we are challenged with closely monitoring her blood glucose numbers and her insulin intake since she's hardly eating. We had plans to go to north Jersey for a St. Patrick's Day parade and join some best friends for dinner afterwards, but we had to cancel.

So, our friends offered to bring the corned beef and cabbage to us today. How sweet is that? Totally grateful for good friends.

And then there's everyday life. This year's big event is Harper's first Holy Communion, which is coming up on May 3rd. She's excited to take "snack time" at mass. Not gonna lie...that's what she calls it. Hopefully, through her religious education over the next few weeks, she'll understand that Communion symbolizes so much more than that.

Let's chat about Lent. Did you give up anything? I gave up Starbucks, and honestly, the first 2 days were the worst. Now, I don't even think about it. Will power is a very powerful thing. Now, if I could just pull myself away from the Girl Scout cookies. I think I'll give those up for the remainder of Lent. Those things are delicious but evil on your hips.

And...the big news this week is that I started oil pulling. Do you do this? I've read so much about oil pulling that I just had to try it. I never thought I'd be able to swish coconut oil in my mouth for a full 20 minutes, but some things surprise you. I am anxious to see if there are long term dental health benefits. I always have plaque build-up at my 6-month visits. I'm hoping oil pulling will change that, if nothing else.

Has anyone read any good books lately? Seen any good movies? I haven't been able to get into any of the books I've started reading, and I'm in the mood for a really good one. Let me know if you have a recommendation.

I think that's about it for now. Leave a comment and let me know what you've been up to!

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When Life Throws You a Curve Ball

I love Mondays. Clean slate. Fresh start. I look at the previous week from my rearview mirror and bid it adieu.

A fresh to-do list and renewed motivation. All of my Mondays start like this, and I look forward to them.

But this past Monday started off a little differently. I had my to-do list in hand. But I was apprehensive when tackling it.

The first item on the list was to call the pediatrician to make an emergency appointment for Harper. She had been exhibiting some unusual symptoms over the course of the week, and they were bothersome to me. Unexplained weight loss, bedwetting, sluggishness among others.

When I called the office, I was told that they were booked solid with sick visits as they no longer have Saturday hours. Could I come in on Tuesday morning at 10?, they asked. I agreed and hung up. But as the minutes ticked by and I thought about waiting 24 hours, I didn't have a good feeling. I called back and asked to come in that day. They were accommodating and gave me an 11:00 appointment.

I pick up Harper at school and we make our way to the doctor's office. We are shown to an exam room and the nurse takes Harper's vitals. Soon the doctor comes in to examine Harper. As she sits intently listening to me describe the symptoms, she gets a perplexing look on her face. She tells me that the weight loss, bedwetting, and excessive thirst concern her. She orders an in-office urine test.

Harper guzzles a big cup of water, and 5 minutes later she fills a cup.

And 10 minutes after that the pediatrician is back. She gingerly places the folder in front of me and points to a glucose number. It looked like any other number to me, but it was off the charts.

She tells me that the number confirms her suspicions...all signs point to type 1 diabetes.

My jaw drops. My heart sinks. But before I can really let this sink in, the pediatrician tells me that we need to get to the emergency room ASAP. Like now.

The next 20 minutes are a blur to me. I remember calling the Hubs to tell him we were on the way to the ER. He was on his way to Newark Airport to catch a flight to Portland, Oregon. He turned around. I remember calling my sisters too.

We arrive at the hospital. They are expecting us and we are rushed in. Blood is drawn. Tests are done. Suspicions are confirmed.

The attending physician in the pediatric ER came in to deliver the news. It hit me like a sucker punch. Our daughter has type 1 diabetes.

My head started to spin. My heart rate increased. This was really happening.

My daughter lay in a hospital bed fatigued and apparently very sick. Her blood sugar level was high and her urine was filled with ketones. Ketones are substances that are made when the body breaks down fat for energy. Normally, your body gets the energy it needs from carbohydrates in your diet. But stored fat is broken down and ketones are made if your diet does not contain enough carbohydrate to supply the body with sugar (glucose) for energy or if your body can't use blood sugar (glucose) properly.*

This combination could have put her into a diabetic coma. She was admitted and transferred to the Pediatric ICU until her blood sugar was stabilized.

We spent the next 48 hours in the hospital where I experienced a roller coaster of emotions. I was frightened. I was confused. I was scared. I was overwhelmed. I was relieved. I was worried. I was sad. 

Over the course of 2 days in the hospital, we received diabetes education...and tons of it. We had so much information presented to us that I thought I'd never be comfortable enough to do any of it on my own much less be discharged. But it's funny how quickly you learn and adapt when you are forced in to a new role.

We are home now. And while things are anything but easy, they are getting easier. We are adjusting to our new daily routine. 

We are taking charge of our daughter's health and there is nothing better than knowing that with each insulin injection we give her, we are insuring that she leads a healthy life.


*Source: WebMD

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