Earlier this year (March 19, 2009), after experiencing strange symptoms on a long plane trip from Scotland, our (then) three-year old grand-daughter Miranda Speirs was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Suddenly her parents (Maura and Gerry Speirs) and ourselves as grandparents were compelled to learn about the multiple daily blood tests and insulin shots required to substute for the normal operation of the pancreas.

Now our daughter Maura Hudson Speirs (Miranda’s mother) has joined in the “Walk to Cure Diabetes” at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, November 8, 2009.  The sponsor of the walk is the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of JDRF  (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).  Other family members (including ourselves) will be participating in the “Walk to Cure Diabetes” (via contributions to JDRF), and representing “Team Miranda.”

The problem is one that is international in scope.  Close to 75,000 children in low-income and lower-middle income countries are living with diabetes in desperate circumstances.  Recently there have been news reports of an upsurge of Type 1 diabetes among European children.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) 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.

This is a cause analogous to Rotary’s signature role in finding a cure for Infantile Paralysis.  In both cases (Polio, and Type One Diabetes), children are the primary victims.  It is noteworthy that in November, 2008, Rotary International’s commenced its Action Group for Diabetes. 

As our daughter Maura (Miranda’s mother) exhorts:

“Let’s get the word out and get ALL of our friends, family members, and co-workers out there with us, enjoying a warm fall day on the infield of Dodger Stadium…and support a cause benefitting so many young children like Miranda and her friends, who manage Type 1 Diabetes every day and need our support and love.
“No one should ever have to go through what a diabetic goes through on an hourly basis. These kids deserve more than treatment, more than management tools, more than support groups, and more than sympathy. They deserve a CURE. And thanks to YOU and your commitment to this team (evidenced by the various, wonderful “check-in” emails we receive, the offers of donations, the welcomed assistance – all of it), we’re making great strides. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts – your support means more than you’ll ever know.”

xxx
Maura, Gerry and Miranda ”

[Dirk L. Hudson]