Port Chester Native Twin Boys Diabetic Journey and Fundraiser to Attend Diabetes Camp

It will be 5 years on May 29^th that my son, Andrew, who was 8 years of age at the time, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). A day that will forever be remembered as the day our world came crashing down.

He is 13 now and handling his disease as best as any child could. There are ups and downs as would be expected. Andrew just tries to be a normal kid, but at times it can be difficult with this disease, but it certainly does not stop him from being Andrew.

On March 31, 2015, the nightmare that we prayed would never happen, did. Andrew’s identical twin brother Duane was diagnosed with T1D as well. Both my handsome boys have now been afflicted with T1D. My husband and I never imagined that something like this would become a part of our family. Needless to say he was destroyed after years of watching and caring for his brother, did he think he would have to take this on now.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While insulin injections or infusion allow a person with T1D to stay alive, they do not cure the disease, nor do they necessarily prevent the possibility of the disease’s serious effects, which may include: kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, heart attack, stroke, amputation of limbs among other things.

This disease requires 24/7 management. There are no vacations from it. Both boys will have 8 – 10 finger pricks per day, anywhere from 6 – 10 shots of insulin per day when not on their insulin pumps, sitting out of a baseball or basketball game because of a low, up at 2:30am for a snack to bring their sugar back up or inject insulin to bring down a high….it goes on and on and there are no guarantees of a good day. It’s a constant balancing act, trips to the ER and sometimes hospital stays to save their lives.

My husband and have been blessed to send both boys to diabetes camp the past 2 years with the help of GoFundMe.com. Doing something for the boys that will give them a sense of feeling like everyone else is crucial for their well being and overall future. Diabetes camp will allow them to spend time with children who have T1D and to feel just like any other kid. Unfortunately, it is an expense so we decided to create a campaign on GOFUNDME.com in hopes of support. And this year, the boys asked if they could raise part of the money mowing lawns. We agreed and they also decided that anything over their goal will go to help another child attend diabetes camp and part of it to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). We could not be prouder of these two amazing human beings!!!

We do find it difficult to ask for this kind of support, but it is beneficial to our boys and there is nothing we wouldn’t do to improve their lives. Therefore, if you are able to help, please go to https://www.gofundme.com/duane-andrews-diabetes-camp-fund for further information on donating. If monetary capacity is not possible, prayers are always a gift. We will be eternally grateful.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and God Bless.