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Community Corner

Basking Ridge Family to be Honored at The Crystal Ball

For many people living with type 1 diabetes, like Claudia, 13, of Basking Ridge, NJ, insulin is just life support, not a cure.  For her, everyday “normal” life has become a tightrope, carefully balancing the daily acts of checking blood sugar multiple times a day, dosing insulin, and diligently monitoring what is eaten and drunk, while maintaining a very active lifestyle as a competitive swimmer.

T1D is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and can strike children and adults suddenly. For Claudia, who was diagnosed at 6 years old, the only hope of one day being free of this burden is through research for a cure.

That’s why Claudia and her family have been supporting JDRF in its mission since Claudia’s diagnosis.  Dedicated to this cause, Mark Taddeo immediately joined the Board of Directors and has served four years as Board President of JDRF’s Mid-Jersey chapter. The Taddeo family has actively supported other families in the area by volunteering to be a mentor family and have attended most events including the Walk to Cure Diabetes, The Crystal Ball, and the Golf and Tennis Open. This family’s story of dedication and involvement within the community to raise both awareness and funds for type 1 diabetes research is truly an inspiration. Each of them: Mark, Lois, Claudia, and Andrew have continuously gathered support and shown commitment to JDRF’s mission of better treating, preventing, and eventually curing T1D.  
On Saturday, May 9th, the Taddeo family will be honored at the 15th Annual Crystal Ball, Imagine a World without Diabetes, at The Heldrich in New Brunswick, NJ. The evening will include a cocktail hour featuring a spectacular silent auction, followed by dinner and dancing with entertainment by the popular band Daddy Pop and an exciting live auction.

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. JDRF’s goal is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal. Interested individuals can visit JDRF’s website www.midjersey.jdrf.org for information on sponsorship, tickets, and/or donations.

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