As you may already know, our youngest daughter, Macey (3), was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (“T1D”). While the diagnosis sent a shockwave through our world, it was not the first time our family had been impacted by T1D. My wife, Falyn, was diagnosed in 1996 at the age of 14.
The diagnosis didn’t stop her, in fact, it did quite the opposite! She has never allowed T1D to limit her in any way and is driven to achieve her goals and ambitions. She has attended college, moved to NYC, got married, has four beautiful children, runs her own business, and most recently ran the NYC Marathon. She was only able to do this with the support of other people living with T1D and with the help she received from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (“JDRF”).
JDRF is the leading global organization harnessing the power of research, advocacy, and community engagement to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.
Macey and Falyn will continue to live full lives; but unfortunately, T1D continues to inhibit millions of people daily. It is an incurable autoimmune disease, usually developed in childhood or adolescence, that causes the body to stop producing insulin.
The impact can be deadly, but also has a negative impact on daily life. People living with T1D struggle with fatigue, excessive thirst, mood swings, etc. stemming from the constant need to control their body’s blood sugars.
We will use our family’s story to raise awareness, make an impact, and give hope to those affected by this disease.
To do this, we are asking for your help!
We are proud to share that we have been honored as JDRF Northern Florida’s 2023 Fund a Cure Family, and as such, ask that you please consider supporting the upcoming JDRF Jacksonville Party with a Purpose event.
Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. ET
Location: TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse, 110 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Register: Click here to register.
To show our commitment to the cause, Shilts CPA is also a proud sponsor of this event.
You can help make an impact on T1D by:
No one is alone… we are ALL in this together fighting for a cure!
Click here to download a donation form. Additional details regarding the event can be found by visiting the event website. Questions? Contact JDRF directly via email by clicking here. If you are not local or cannot attend the event, please consider donating directly to the Shilts Family Fund a Cure page.
*Remember, your support of JDRF is appreciated, 100% tax-deductible, and directly impacts their important mission.
You can also follow JDRF North Florida on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to learn more about their mission, their upcoming events, or just to stay connected.
With gratitude,
Joshua Shilts