Pointers Run Piranhas: Swim-a-Ton

Friday, June 8
Swim-A-Ton Information!!!
Swim Team Families,

By now you should have received the Evite inviting you to the Annual Swim Team Fundraiser we call "Swim-A-Ton".  This year we are celebrating Disney style and will look forward to a great party and for the hearty party goers a sleep over at the pool as well.  This is always a fun time, but most importantly we are raising money for a worthy cause.  This year our efforts will benefit the Juvenile Diabeted Research Foundation.  We have swimmers on both teams and family members as well who are directly affected by Type 1 Diabetes and your support of this cause goes not only to research for a cure but also for support of patients and families suffering this disease.
Attached you will find the permission form if you are attending the event and for anyone who wants to contribute to the cause there is a pledge sheet also attached.  Encourage your kids to become involved in the fund raising and tell them what it is all about.
JDRF
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide.  The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.Research Funding Facts Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research, including more than $156 million in FY2008. More than 85 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education. In FY2008, the Foundation funded more than 1,000 centers, grants, and fellowships in 22 countries, including nearly 40 human clinical trials.General Diabetes Facts Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease affecting every organ system. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune disease also known as juvenile diabetes) and type 2 diabetes (a metabolic disorder also known as adult onset diabetes).
 
Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes Facts Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes strikes children suddenly, makes them dependent on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. While diagnosis most often occurs in childhood and adolescence, it can and does strike adults as well.  Although, children with diabetes appear to be "normal" they & their families feel as though this disease is an intrusion on their lives. Children with diabetes have to constantly be checking their blood sugar by pricking their finger before they eat & have to be very careful to determine the exact amount of carbohydrates they eat.  They also have to be concerned about exercise since it can cause their blood sugar to go low and continually have to be  interrupted by the demands of this disease.
A Message from Peggy:

I can say when my daughter (Paige, 10 yrs old, who is on the Piranhas) was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in April of this year we received a whole backpack of resources from JDRF as well as Rufus, a teddy bear with diabetes, which has provided her a lot of comfort.  She used that bear to explain to her class how she gets insulin shots. She has even fashioned an insulin pump for him since she has begun her trial with an insulin pump.  So, as well as all the research, JDRF also offers information and comfort to families who are new to diabetes.  I’m really excited that we’re raising awareness and funds for type 1 diabetes!

Thanks from the Swim A Ton Committee


Handout: Swim-a-Ton Documents