For my husband Joe and me, the mission of Help A Diabetic Child (HADC) is deeply personal. In 2000, we moved our family from Pennsylvania to Naples, Florida, looking forward to a quiet life focused on raising our two young children, Kristi and Michael.

But our world shifted forever on December 22, 2010. Our sixteen-year-old son, Michael, had been experiencing classic symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D): extreme fatigue, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, constant stomach pain, and frequent urination. Because of a delayed diagnosis, the disease had already taken a severe toll on his body.

We watched helplessly as Michael spent three days in a hospital bed being stabilized. In those agonizing hours, Joe and I quickly realized just how invasive, relentless, costly, and unforgiving this lifelong condition would be for Michael and all who live with diabetes.

Michael came home from the hospital on Christmas Eve, but the holiday we knew was gone. In its place was a daunting new reality of carb counting, weighing food, endless finger pricks, multiple insulin injections daily, and sleepless nights of worry.

While Michael bravely embraced his new normal and continued to manage his health with incredible resilience, that experience opened our eyes to the immense financial and emotional burdens families face. It is the reason I serve as President of HADC today: to help ensure no family must navigate the terrifying onset of this disease alone or without the life-saving insulin, medical supplies, and medical services needed to manage diabetes.

This journey has taught us the importance of community and support, and it has become our mission to extend a helping hand to those in need. Through HADC, we have been able to provide crucial assistance to countless families, children, and young adults who, like us, have faced the overwhelming challenges that Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) presents.

Our organization works tirelessly to bridge the gap for children and families who struggle to afford the essential medical supplies, insulin, and care required to maintain their health and well-being and simply to stay alive.

Every story we hear from the families we help reinforce our commitment and fuels our passion. We are continually inspired by the bravery and determination of children like Michael, who face their condition with courage and an unyielding spirit.

It is our greatest hope that through HADC, we can alleviate some of the burdens these families bear and provide them with the means to thrive despite the challenges they encounter.

aAs we look toward the future, our goal is to expand HADC’s reach even further, ensuring that no child or family has to face the trials of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) alone.

Together, we can make a difference, one child at a time.

Sincerely,

Tami Balavage
President and Co-Founder
Help A Diabetic Child (HADC)