Juvenile Diabetes Walk 2007

Yesterday was the annual Juvenile Diabetes Walk to Cure Diabetes. I am thrilled to be able to 'shill' on their behalf for another year.

C'mon - shill is what I do. Maybe they like me as a person, but I'm there because I can use my bosses TV station to help promote the event. Fair trade. I'm ecstatic it's mine to give away.

Originally, we had planned to go live on our Sunday morning news show. I woke up at 4:30 AM, called the station, and found out some breaking news (serious news) had bumped us from the show.

I tried to go back to sleep, but it was futile. I would pay for that later in the day.

The JDRF Walk is a very rewarding event, because over time I have really learned the truth about Type 1 diabetes. So many of the stories from parents are horror stories. So many discovered their child had diabetes during an unexpected, serious episode as the child went into diabetic shock... only the parent had no inkling what was going on.

Imagine you're in a hospital with your very sick child and a strange doctor is explaining the life sentence your family has just received. It's every parent's nightmare, and it does affect the entire family.

From appearances, these children are totally normal. But, of course, they're not. Diabetes will shorten their life and cramp their lifestyle.

Even with insulin and attention to dietary restrictions, a diabetic child will live at least a decade shorter life than a non-diabetic. And there is the increased risk for blindness, kidney failure, even amputations.

It's horrific - made worse because it's often attached to sweet young faces.

How could I not help? Once you understand, you can't help but be hooked.

One of the cooler parts of the walk is the large number of people who bring their dogs with them! They're every shape and size and color. Usually they're dogs with good dispositions. Is that ever important because we had thousands there.

I look forward to next years walk, but more so, I look forward to the first year I can sleep in, because the walk is no longer necessary.

Wouldn't it be cool if one of the dollars we raised was the one that paid for the research that actually cured diabetes? It will happen sooner, rather than later.