My Husband and I - Annette and Dan!

 Photo by Ruth Olson Photography - Ruth Olson.

Jack's Toy Box Drop off Day at Mott's Children's Hospital

My son Jack and I dropping off toys by Big Bird at Mott's

Jack making sure he is ready to give up all these toys to the sick kids... one last look... with cousin Mollie who co - founded this foundation with me.

December 18, 2009

Thank you to all of our sponsors and toy donors! Another successful year gathering toys for the newly onset diabetic children at Mott's Children's Hospital! Above are some photos taken of our toy drop off.

JDRF Announces their Sponsorship Of Jack's Toy Box at the 2009 JDRF Awards and Appreciation Dinner. Thank you JDRF!

I attended the JDRF Awards Ceremony Monday with my husband, Dan, our son, Jack and my niece, Mollie along with her parents. Our JDRF Walk team, "Jack Attack" was given a special award for raising nearly $4000 for the JDRF Walk. In addition, JDRF announced that they are an official sponsor and drop location for mt foundation,  "Jack's Toy Box." We are thrilled JDRF has joined on with this cause and are confident the children who are in the hospital with their new onset diabetes stay will enjoy the new toys and activities the Jack'sToy Box Foundation will bring them.

Mollie and I (Co-founders of Jack's Toy Box) are so proud and thankful for our new "Jack's Toy Box" sponsors, The Juvenile diabetes Research Foundation.

(Here and Below) My husband, Dan, Jack and Myself accepting our "Supporting Achievement Award " for our JDRF Walk Donation to find a cure.

November 23 Marks the Official Kick Off for the second Annual "Jack's Toy Box" Toy Drive

Jack of "Jack's Toy Box" playing with his mom - co - founder of the toy drive.

Diagnosed with Type one Diabetes June 28, 2006

Photo By Ruth Olson, Ruth Olson Photography

"The needs of patients and families at Mott are on-going, and even more heightened as the holiday season approaches. Community members play a large role in helping to make the stays of Mott patients and families a little easier. The donations that are collected through Jack's Toy Box are given over the holiday season. Jack's Toy Box has been a great support to Mott patients and families."

– Lan Truong, Community Relations Mott’s Children’s Hospital

Who: This Foundation was created by it’s Co- Founders Annette Kelly and Mollie Smith. Annette is the Mother and Mollie the cousin of Jack. This Foundation works in partnership with businesses, schools, civic organization and people in our community.

What: Jack’s Toy Box: A foundation created to make toys available to newly diagnosed type one diabetics during there new onset hospital stay.

When: Toys will be collected between November 23 and December 18. November is Diabetes Awareness Month!

Where: Schools, Businesses and civic organizations join together to sponsor this event for Mott’s Children’s Hospital.

Why: Jack, now age five, was diagnosed with type one diabetes at 21 months old. He was in Pediatric ICU for 4 days and then on the children’s floor for the remainder of the week. His favorite part of the day was taking the trip to the toy room to play. It was a small ray of sunshine during a very overwhelming time. It is our hope that other newly diagnosed diabetic children will have a ray of sunshine during their hospital stay from the toys donated by Jack’s Toy Box. Won’t you join us?

Toy Drop off Sites: 

Milford High School:  2380 S Milford Rd Highland Michigan
Building Bridges Therapy Center:  9357 General Drive Suite 101 Plymouth Michigan 48170
JDRF of Metro Detroit and Southeast MI: 24359 Northwestern Hwy, Ste 225 Southfield MI 48075
More to come! Please check back often!

Sponsored by:
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan

Mott's Children's Hospital

Milford High School

Building Bridges Therapy Center

Mrs. Oakland County (Mrs. America Pageant  - "We are Family")

November, Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month!

 www.jdrf.org

Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes) Facts

Affects Young Children
Type 1 diabetes strikes children suddenly, makes them dependent on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. While diagnosis most often occurs in childhood and adolescence, it can and does strike adults as well. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. While the causes of this process are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved.

Needs Constant Attention
To stay alive, people with type 1 diabetes must take multiple insulin injections daily or continually infuse insulin through a pump. They must also test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times per day. While trying to balance insulin doses with their food intake and daily activities, people with this form of diabetes must always be prepared for serious hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions, both of which can be life-limiting and life threatening.

Insulin Does Not Cure It
While insulin allows a person to stay alive, it does not cure diabetes nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating effects, which may include: kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputations, heart attack, stroke, and pregnancy complications.

Difficult to Manage
Despite rigorous attention to maintaining a meal plan and exercise regimen, and always injecting the proper amount of insulin, many other factors can adversely affect efforts to tightly control blood sugar levels including: stress, hormonal changes, periods of growth, physical activity, medications, illness/infection, and fatigue.

Statistics and Warning Signs
•As many as 3 million Americans may have type 1 diabetes.

•Each year more than 15,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. That's 40 children per day.

•Warning signs of type 1 diabetes include: extreme thirst, frequent urination, drowsiness or lethargy, increased appetite, sudden weight loss for no reason, sudden vision changes, sugar in urine, fruity odor on breath, heavy or labored breathing, stupor or unconsciousness. These may occur suddenly.
 

My son, Jack Kelly. Diagnosed June 28, 2006.

He was 21 months old at diagnosis

 

Keep posted to learn more about Jack's Toy Box and where you can drop a toy to brighten the day of a newly disgnosed child!

 

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween spent with family. Jack was "GI JOE" and William was a "Dog." We had fun carving our pumpkins. 

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes: Team Jack Attack!!!!

Thank you Team Jack Attack for supporting our son, Jack. We raised nearly $4000 in hopes of finding a cure for type one diabetes.

I judged the Miss Wayne County Scholarship Pageant on September 12, 2009

Congratulations to Anjel Francisco Miss Wayne County 2009! I had a great time with my Miss Michigan Pageant Family. It was so wonderful to see faces that I haven't seen in a while due to our time in Maryland and Texas. The Miss America Program is a true testament to long lasting friendships and people who truly care about young women. I am so blessed to have been a part of this organization. I have so much to give back, but could never come close to repaying all of the volunteers for the time, love and care they gave to me while I competed.... I can't believe it was 12 years ago that I was named Miss Wayne County!

Children's Congress 2009

My son Jack and I were one of 150 delegates chosen from over 1500 entries to serve as delegates at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Children's Congress. We were flown to Washington DC and met with President Obama (Above is Jack sitting on the President's Lap), Senators Stabenow and Levin in an effort to encourage support of the "Special Diabetes Bill." This Bill ensures funding be made available to support efforts in finding a cure to end the devastating effects of type one diabetes. My son also spent some time with Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers at the White House. Nick was one of few celebrities who testified at the JDRF Senate hearings. My son Jack, now four years old, was diagnosed at 21 months old. When asked why I fight so strongly for a diabetes cure - I simply respond, "Jack never gets a day off from diabetes. Why should I?" http://www.jdrf.org/