I got diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 5 years old. It didn't take long for me to get burned out and start lying to my parents about how I was (not) managing my disease. Thankfully, by the time I was 10 my parents heard of this camp for kids with Type 1 diabetes in the mountains of North Georgia. SPOILER ALERT: little Kinan did not share their enthusiasm. I believe my exact words were something to the effect of, "You can't make me go." Another wee spoiler alert: they did. Long story short, they were barely able to make me come home at the end of the week. 

Camp Kudzu did what no doctor's office or lecture from my parents could do, it showed me what thriving with T1D looks like. It showed me what the support of a community is. It gave me my diabetes family. From that June day in 2001 to this past summer, I have gone to Camp Kudzu every single summer, no matter what. 

Now, because of the pandemic, my diabetes family is in rough shape. Fundraising is difficult via virtual events and in-person activities are limited in their own right. All I'm asking is that you give a little of what you can spare. I like to think I've gassed up plenty of folks in my life over the years and I hope that now, in this moment of need, you are willing to give back in kind.

As an added bonus, you'll get to see me jump in a freezing cold lake if I am one of the top 4 fundraising folks.