Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Walk For a Cure For Sydney--Please take a minute to read

Dear Friends and Family,

We are writing to you on behalf of our 4-year-old daughter Sydney. On February 25, 2008, Sydney was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes—which means she will be insulin-dependent for the rest of her life. She is required to constantly check her blood sugar by pricking her tiny fingers 4-6 times a day. She receives 4 shots of insulin per day, in addition, a tightly controlled diet and scheduled food intake are now part of Sydney’s everyday life. But, as you likely know, insulin is not a cure; it is merely life support.

The most heart-wrenching and cruel thing about this disease is that even if we tightly control Sydney’s diet and sugar levels, over time, she still has a higher likelihood to have heart disease, kidney disease, an amputation, blindness and/or an early death. (Just to name a few)

From the moment our children are born we, as parents, try to protect them from any harm. That is why we are asking for your help today. We must do everything we can to help find a cure for this disease. Researchers are getting closer than ever before. We are hoping a cure will be found soon, but research cannot be done without funding.

We told Sydney about the Walk to Cure Diabetes and she asked if she raised enough money if she wouldn’t have diabetes anymore. We explained that the money will go to research to help find a cure and someday, hopefully, she won’t have diabetes anymore. She is the one who pushed us to start Team Sydney. Please don’t let her down. Just to give some insight into Sydney’s generous heart, last year she willingly did extra chores for money and donated half of her allowance saved to the Idaho Food Bank to help needy kids. She has a big heart and loves to help people.

Sydney has helped us realize that we can do more than just “hope” for a cure. On Saturday, September 13, Team Sydney will participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes. JDRF is the largest worldwide organization dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes. In a typical year, 85% of every dollar spent goes to research and education about research—since 1970 JDRF has provided more than $900 million to diabetes research worldwide.

Now there are two ways you can help us make a difference for Sydney and everyone living with diabetes:

1) You can join our family team, now known as “Team Sydney”, which consists of family and friends who also collect pledges and walk with us. The Walk will be held Saturday, September 13 at the Snake River Landing in Idaho Falls. Time is really getting short!

2) You can also send a tax-deductible contribution of any amount, made payable to JDRF or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Please indicate on the check that your donation is for Team Sydney. Or you can make a credit/debit card contribution by visiting

http://walk.jdrf.org/ Please search for Sydney’s team, Team Sydney in Idaho, and contribute to her walk so she receives the credit.

Our goal is to raise $500 for diabetes research. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. Again, we want to express our most heartfelt gratitude for your support of Sydney and this most worthy cause. Together, we can find a cure. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Sincerely,

Loren, Shamae, Sydney and Morgan

s_gneiting@hotmail.com





13 comments:

Michelle said...

Such a sweet little girl. I am in tears. I pray that you can meet your goal, and that the research to find a cure for Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes can push on, and one day become successful.

Anonymous said...

Sydney is wonderful and many people will hear her story and want to help!!! Remember, you can climb any mountain, taking one step at a time!

I love you Sydney

Grandma Kathy

Stringham Family said...

Wow-I am in tears right now. I am so proud of Sydney and how brave she is. I had Sydney in my primary class for a while, and she has such a wonderful personality. I love Sydney and her wonderful family with all my heart, and our prayers are constantly with them. Count on a pledge from us. I will call you and get the address of where to send it. Keep it up.

Love,
Jesse, Tiffany & Leah Stringham

Stringham Family said...

We actually wont be there Sunday, we are not in the 14th Ward anymore. But, we will get in contact with you to make a donation.

caligirlinfl said...

Shamae, You have a very special daughter. What a sweetheart! I am plnning to contribute when we get paid. I hope you meet your goal!

Anonymous said...

I am sorry Sidney has to go through all that. Of course we will help. I hope you also reach your goals.I had a friend Ethan who said he wanted to do research on the same thing Sidney has. He has it too, I hope he finished school and finds a cure like he wanted to. We really need one!

Jill said...

What a big heart that little girl has!! I won't be able to make the walk since I live in Utah, but I will be donating towards the cause! Go team Sydney!

Trista said...

I want to help too. What an amazing little girl!

Trista

Josie and Wayne said...

I say go team Sydney too!!! It sounds like a rough challenge, and I'm sure you guys are learning tons. I hope they find a cure. I love your cute slide show. You have beautiful girls.

Anonymous said...

Wow I had no idea how serious diabetes is... poor little girl having to have that many shots and her finger pricked. What a touching little blog!

aubs33 said...

It's so hard to know she's going through all of that. She still seems so happy and positive. What an awesome thing to do a walk. I wish you the best of luck!! ♥ Go Team Sydney!!!!

Greg & Andrea said...

I'm so sorry for all that Sydney and your family have to go through. But you guys will always be so close because of it. And I hope that one day we can find a cure.

Natalie said...

How are you guys doing? How is the new house. I am glad we can reconnect on our blogs. WEll, I wish you the best of luck with everything. Tell your beautiful family HI from the Raney's.