Project 2.1.12 Kicks Off With Helping to Find a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes
Hey Everyone,
Thank you for stopping by, as we have some exciting news to share! Ever since we started our business we knew we wanted to find ways to give back and support some amazing causes and organizations. We developed what we’ve called the Project 2.1.12 and the idea was to have two photographers with one mission over 12 months allowing us to partner and give back. We’re so excited that we are ready to officially launch our first Project 2.1.12 this November to support Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).
So you’re probably asking yourself WHY Type 1 Diabetes? Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that makes the pancreas unable to produce insulin, a hormone that is essential for converting food to energy in order to stay alive. T1D occurs when an individual’s immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells within the pancreas. Individuals are susceptible to this attack if they have one or more out of three types of auto-antibodies present. There is not a single known cause, but researchers believe environmental factors, history of autoimmune diseases within the family, and common viruses may lead to the onset of T1D. Approximately 40,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed each year. T1D can not be prevented and there is no cure....yet!
We met sweet Gavin and his family when he was just a few weeks old and took his newborn photos. This past December Gavin was diagnosed with childhood Type 1 Diabetes at just 14 months old. The diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes once typically occurred during teenage years, but the amount of children diagnosed as toddlers is on the rise. During the week approaching Christmas 2016, Gavin became extremely thirsty and his diapers were more wet than usual. Gavin’s parents decided to bring him to the pediatrician. He was rushed to the ER after glucose was found in his urine, with his blood sugar so high that a reading on the glucose monitor was unable to be obtained. Taken from his mom’s arms immediately at the hospital, Gavin was found to be in a life-threatening state called DKA (Diabetic Keto-acidosis). Barely able to stay awake, Gavin’s parents were told to NOT let him fall asleep. Gavin’s diagnosis of T1D came next, followed by a hospitalization in the PICU through the holidays. The entire event was a shock to Gavin’s family, and life since then has presented challenges in various forms.
We are teaming with Gavin’s parents, Kristyn and Jason, to raise awareness and donate toward a cure. Gavin can live a beautiful and fulfilling life, but he will have hardships too. Gavin endures 6-12 finger pricks to check his blood sugar daily. He needs more than 8 shots or insulin infusions every day to stay alive. He also needs to figure out and account for the amount of carbohydrates in everything he eats, forever. Gavin experiences high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) during the day and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) mostly while he is sleeping. Both cause him to feel sick and have very serious consequences. The technological advances in treating T1D are outstanding, but families need more.
For the month of November, we will donate 20% of all sessions to the efforts to find a cure for this life threatening illness. It’s time for holiday family photos and the season of giving. It’s a win-win. Please partner with us and help us in the fight for a cure! Book now by e-mailing simplicityphoto2013@gmail.com
