Dearest family and friends,

In 2013, I joined the JDRF team and their fight for a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Even with no personal connection to T1D, JDRF’s mission to improve treatments and cure type 1 diabetes always tugged at my heart strings. With Duncan Golf Management expanding, the timing seemed right to get more involved. In March of 2015 we, the Duncan family, were asked to be the Honorees for JDRF’s 2016 Vision Gala. It was a honor we happily accepted as we desire to assist the advancements in T1D research that are making an impact on the millions of people living with T1D. On September 2, 2015 everything changed and the fight became very personal when Duncan, our eldest son, was diagnosed with T1D. It was a complete shock to all of us. T1D has no cure. Diet and exercise won't make it go away. It is an autoimmune disease which could not have been prevented and more kids are diagnosed every day.

Sitting in the ER with Duncan was the most surreal feeling I had ever felt. Duncan will likely be insulin dependent for the rest of his life. Currently he has to poke and inject himself 5 or 6 times a day. There is no vacation from the needles; no breaks from being diabetic. As a parent of a child with a life-long disease, I have felt a wide range of emotions: sadness, anger, depression and, if I'm honest, more than a little anger. I’m easily overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness. I cannot make my son better. I cannot take it away. Knowing that your teenager will never be able to live the life of a "normal" child is devastating. While his responsibility continues to amaze me, and his strength is truly inspiring, he still has a lot of days when he doesn’t believe he can handle the burden this disease brings.

On behalf of Duncan, we are asking you to join the fight to improve treatments and cure T1D. We invite you to join us on April 16, 2016 at the JDRF Vision Gala. Having everyone who loves Duncan in one room to show him that we will stand united in the fight to cure this disease will express your love like nothing else. We would be so grateful to have you attend and/or make a Fund A Cure donation in Duncan’s honor. Since the day we were asked to be the Honorees we have wanted to do something big for JDRF. Before, when I would listen to other JDRF Board Members talk about research advancements that were changing the lives of their loved ones, I was always inspired. Now, the advancements are for MY son; the cure is for MY loved one. Be grateful, be thankful for the healthy children in your life, and help those of us who want our children to experience the same. Please join us in supporting JDRF.

My sincerest appreciation,

Milly Duncan-Burgess
Daughter of Tom and Connie Duncan