Dear Friend:

My name is Latesha Taylor and I'm scared for my child's future.

Every day my 9-year old daughter Loretta goes to school — her life is at risk.

Why? Because without someone available every day to check her blood glucose and administer insulin, Loretta could enter into a coma … or worse.

Help the American Diabetes Association keep Loretta, and children like her, safe at school.

You see, Loretta has diabetes. Yet her school system doesn't believe that it's their job to provide basic care for a child with diabetes when a school nurse isn't available. Other states have adopted laws that allow school employees to provide diabetes care as trained volunteers … but not mine.

Instead, I'm forced to leave my job every time the nurse is absent or unavailable because the school system refuses to train other staff members in how to care for her. And that means I get fired. A lot.

It also means Loretta is falling way behind in school. She can't pay attention or keep up with her schoolwork when her blood glucose hits an extreme. And because she has so many absences from leaving school when there's no nurse available, she's even been cited for truancy!

Now I'm fighting for my child's rights … and her safety. And I'd like you to join me. Help fight for the care that children like Loretta deserve at school.

Will you please send an urgent donation to help the American Diabetes Association? Your support could help them fight for the diabetes care that children like Loretta deserve at school, as well as support the Association's research, information, advocacy and education programs.

Many of the over 200,000 children with diabetes in America have no support system in school when they need insulin or face a diabetes emergency. Some are even turned away from their neighborhood school simply because they have diabetes.

I'm sure you'll agree with me that this is discriminatory and must be stopped. School personnel who aren't health care professionals can — and should — be trained to provide diabetes care when a school nurse isn't available.

Please give whatever you can today.

Not only will your generosity help give voice to those like Lorettta who are denied rights because of their diabetes, it will also help fund critical research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes.

I simply can't thank you enough.

Sincerely,

Latesha Taylor

P.S. The American Diabetes Association had already won key victories in multiple states, allowing school employees to volunteer to be trained in assisting children with diabetes. Help us move forward! Your gift today will help the American Diabetes Association improve the lives of children and adults with diabetes. Donate today and help STOP DIABETES^®.