As parents of a child with diabetes, we want to do everything we can to support the mission of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) through the Walk To Cure Diabetes which supports the overall mission of the Foundation to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of research. In Colorado alone, JDRF annually funds more than $3 million in research.

When Ellie was three years old, she had a new baby brother, began dancing lessons and was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. All of these have been life altering events, but the diagnosis came as a devastating blow to all of us who love her. JDRF helped us to realize that we were not alone in our search for the cure. Maybe we could cope after all. Through JDRF we met other families who explained how to live an almost normal life with this disease and we were so uplifted to realize the progress that has already been made in the search for the cure. We are so anxious for the cure to be realized.

Ellie now has an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor to keep her blood sugars at more optimum levels than were previously possible. This decreases the danger of complications such as the damage to her eyesight, kidneys, heart, and other organs as well as stroke, coma and death due to poorly monitored blood sugars. In the past, children with juvenile diabetes had a short lifespan. Now, Ellie can expect have a fairly normal life, largely due to the work that JDRF has accomplished. She is a wonderful dancer and would love to be free of the equipment and the worry about her blood sugar as she performs.

Ellie loves JDRF and has worked tirelessly, being pictured in many posters and participating in any event that will help get closer to a cure. Ellie has her 8 th birthday party planned for September 13 at Elitch Gardens for the JDRF Walk for a Cure. She has been participating in the Walk for the past three years and is hoping to have the largest team (Ellie's Quest for a Cure) ever and hopes that everyone will donate to JDRF instead for giving her birthday presents. She would love nothing more than to live a long, healthy life. She has raised and donated over $10,000 to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes, and hopes to see you at the walk!

Last year the Walk raised more than $900,000 and this year the goal is to break the $1 million mark . The 2009 Staples Walk to Cure Diabetes, presented by Kaiser Permanente, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at ElitchGardens. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m.

If you are interested in forming a Family, School or Corporate Team, please contact Jami at jalleman@jdrf.org or 303-770-2873 (CURE). To register, click here.