See It: The Community being helped

I am going to solve the problem of Type 1 Diabetes. There are 23.6 million people in the United States, or 8% of the population, who have diabetes. The total prevalence of diabetes increased 13.5% from 2005-2007. Only 24% of diabetes is undiagnosed, down from 30% in 2005 and from 50% ten years ago. (http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics.jsp)

See It: The Community being helped

Dollars for Diabetes, an initiative started by Team Brotherly Love is a project run by kids for kids. It was founded after Team Brotherly Love started the JDRF Golf & Tennis Open one year ago, in order to get kids involved. The initiative gets children of all ages engaged in fundraising or what we call, "FUNraising." These youth philanthropists "funraise" at all community events ranging from town fairs to tournaments to athletic events as well as at retailers around the state of New Jersey.

Dollars for Diabetes allocates the money collected to both the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and to the International Diabetes Federation's (IDF) "Life for a Child" program. JDRF supports research toward new technology and a cure and "Life for a Child" supports poor diabetics and their family's in 23 third world countries by providing free medication, equipment, and education, literally saving their lives. This has led Dollars for Diabetes as well as Team Brotherly Love to have the moto, "Saving Lives. Finding a Cure."

Not only does "Dollars for Diabetes" raise money towards a cure and save lives, but it also teaches the essential ideas of philanthropy. These young children, ranging from age two through seventeen who help to raise money learn to ask for donations and learn what giving truly is.

After the success of last years event, we know that with greater advertising and publicity, we could engage more youth philanthropists and raise more money, particularly during this opportune time period of spring sports, school plays, graduations, and other outdoor events. To that end, if Team Brotherly Love is a recipient of this much needed grant, I would allocate these funds to our much needed local newspaper, radio, and public relations efforts.

Thank you for your time and attention to my request.

See It: The Community being helped

"Got Islet's: Lauren's League for a Cure" is dedicated to two things: raising funds for research to cure Type 1 diabetes and raising public awareness and UNDERSTANDING of what Type 1 diabetes is. With the increase attention on Type 2 diabetes, the lines are even more blurred than ever, and Lauren's League works to educate kids and adults that Type 1 is NOT a disease you can avoid or eat well to make better. The ONLY answer is a cure.