On This World Diabetes Day……I Think……of You!

birthday-cakeWhen Lou Gehrig retired from baseball he said, in his farewell speech, that he was probably one of the luckiest men on earth…..I know the feeling.  Not because of diabetes, I wish that was not in the factoring at all but in a way it is.  What is in the factoring……is YOU.

If I attempted to name the so many people who have taught me, showed me, challenged me, and above all; enriched my life since beginning this journey–undoubtedly I would miss someone so I will not attempt it.  But that does not mean I think of so many on this day because I do.  It’s not because of diabetes we met, it is because YOU CHOSE not to accept the roadblock given to you.  There are millions of people with diabetes who I will never meet, but my life has been so blessed with people who have decided to just, ‘don’t do nothing’ that our lives HAVE BECOME entwined.

Because you chose to advocate, learn, share, give, take, and live by the rule that ‘diabetes just will not do’ in your life that our paths have crossed and I’m one lucky man for knowing you.

November 14th, the birth date for Dr. Frederick Banting who discovered insulin, and is recognized as World Diabetes Day is indeed, today.  My celebration will never be about diabetes, I hate it and want it eradicated.  I WILL, however, celebrate the lives of my children who live everyday to full gusto even with diabetes.  I WILL, however, celebrate each and every one of you who have blessed my life in this journey.  I WILL, however, celebrate all off those working daily to making a difference for those with diabetes to live better managed lives and hopefully a day when it will be cured.

That is World Diabetes Dad to me and I thank each of you for being part, any part, of this journey with us.
I am a DiabetesDad.
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A Brother’s Christmas Wish for his Sister…..and an Answer that will Touch Your Heart.

I share this with you in the spirit of the Holiday Season.  It is just an incredible Holiday wish that came to me via a mom.

Thirteen-year-old Jeremy asked his mother if he could talk to Dr. Ricordi in private. 

Dr. Ricordi of The Diabetes Research Institute, as so many know, is one of the leading scientists in the world regarding diabetes.  He has created a world of collaboration second to none and it is his drive, talent, and collaborative spirit, along with the same from all of his colleagues, that has given parents hope that some day there will be a cure for diabetes.  This mom, and her family toured the institute and met many of the scientists. It was these up close and  meeting with individuals at the DRI that gave young Jeremy the impression that he could speak to Dr. Ricordi about something very personal.

Jeremy’s mom, Betty, was of course curious, and asked her son why he needed to speak to Dr. Ricordi about something personal??   Her son Jeremy, who does not have diabetes, wanted to see if he was a match for his sister Shelby.  Turns out that he thought he might be able to donate his pancreas to his sister for Christmas so she would not have diabetes anymore!

The young man with a heart of gold was informed by his mother that even if such a thing was a feasible ask; it would mean that he would then have diabetes.

His answer was enough to shake a mountain.

“I don’t care”, he said. “I just don’t want HER to have it anymore.”

The mother and son cried and hugged when he found out it
couldn’t be done.

The mother closed her note to me stating, “Maybe…..someday….typing through tears here. :(.  Hugs to you and the family.”

When I received that message I felt obligated to share with my colleagues at the DRI.  In a very, very short time later, I received the following from one of the greatest minds on this planet in the diabetes research arena.  He was answering the mom personally.

Dear Betty,
Tom shared your message with me and I will be of course delighted to speak with your wonderful son Jeremy and explain to him how we will find a cure for Shelby without having to use his precious pancreas …
All the best, Camillo 
(He then gave her some dates he was available to speak)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

I am a Diabetesdad